Gen Z, Peace and Patriotism

Kể chuyện hòa bình - Ảnh 1. — Gen Z, on the journey to preserve and develop the quintessence of Vietnamese traditional costumes in their own unique and creative way - Photo: THANH HIEP

That kids now only know how to surf their phones, follow trends, and are unfamiliar with history and their roots. That they were born in peace and don't know how to appreciate the word peace... I don't argue. But I don't completely agree either. Because if you look closely, you'll see that Gen Z loves their country in their own way.

I was born when the country was at peace. War, to me, was no longer the sound of bombs tearing through the air, but the touching stories told by my grandparents.

They are the pages of history books that are new to the touch or the past that still silently sobs in each word. They are the black and white photos in the Son My Remnants Museum, the faces are blurred but the eyes are still filled with pain. They are the towering stone statues, raising their hands to the sky as if holding onto something that has drifted away.

There is no smell of gunpowder, but that does not mean we do not understand. I think that is also a challenge. Because what you have not experienced is easily unfamiliar. What you have not sacrificed is easily taken for granted.

50 years of peace is a journey. The journey of the next generations, those who have never known war but are inheriting the values that their ancestors left behind. Stories of peace - not only the past but also the present.

People say that kids nowadays don't love history anymore, don't care about old things. But has anyone seen children sitting silently in front of a war movie, or young people working hard to make podcasts telling historical stories?

Has anyone seen kids not writing history in their notebooks but making rap music videos about the war years? They don't study history the old way but they preserve culture through art photo albums, TikTok trends recreating ancient costumes, and videos recreating historical memories with CGI technology.

Has anyone seen historical discovery tours redesigned to appeal more to young people?

Are museums no longer quiet exhibition rooms but have become interactive multimedia spaces? Are history books rewritten in graphic novel style, bringing old stories closer to young readers?

The children did not hang slogans or shout loud words, but they still worried in some way. Sometimes, on a trip somewhere, they saw a river being encroached upon, and suddenly they thought about nature, about the land, about the country they were living in.

Patriotism never dies. It just changes form. And neither does peace. It is not just an absence of war, but a continuation of the good things we hold dear every day.

There is a Gen Z who meticulously sews each needle on the flaps of the Ao Tac and Ao Nhat Binh - outfits that were once thought to only exist in books but now appear proudly on the streets and in photo shoots.

There is a Gen Z sitting in front of the phone screen telling stories about the generals of the past with such passion that people have to stop and listen. There are young people diligently researching and creating software to help preserve voices and folk melodies that are gradually fading over time.

And there are agricultural rescue campaigns, starting with a tiny post and then expanding into truckloads of sweet fruits of compassion. They don’t call it “peacekeeping”. They just smile and say: “I like it”. But in that liking is the homeland.

Peace - no need to prove, just feel. Because in any generation there are indifferent people and thoughtful people.

Peace is when a child can go to school without worrying about war tomorrow. It is when dreams are not hindered by conflict and hatred.

Children today may not talk much about peace. But that doesn't mean they aren't grateful. Maybe we just haven't had the patience to listen.

Thank you readers for submitting your entries to the Peace Storytelling contest.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of peace, the Peace Storytelling writing contest (organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, accompanied by Vietnam Rubber Group) allows readers to send in touching, unforgettable stories of each family, each person as well as thoughts about the reunification day of April 30, 1975, about 50 years of peace.

The contest is open to all Vietnamese people at home and abroad, without age or occupation restrictions.

Peace Stories accepts articles of up to 1,200 words in Vietnamese, with accompanying photos and videos, and sent to the email address [email protected]. Articles are only accepted via email, not via post to avoid loss.

Quality entries will be selected to be published on Tuoi Tre products, receive royalties, and the entries that pass the preliminary round will be printed into a book (no royalties paid - no sale). The entries must not have participated in any other writing contest and must not have been published on any media or social networks.

Authors are responsible for the copyright of their articles, photos and videos. They will not accept illustrative photos and videos taken from social networks without copyright. Authors must provide their address, phone number, email, account number, and citizen identification number so that the organizers can contact them and send them royalties or prizes.

As of April 2, the Peace Storytelling writing contest has received 300 entries from readers.

Award Ceremony and Book Launch of Peace Stories

The jury, including famous journalists, cultural figures and representatives of Tuoi Tre newspaper, will review and award prizes from the preliminary entries and choose to award prizes to the best entries.

The award ceremony, book launch of Peace Storytelling and special issue of Tuoi Tre newspaper 30-4 are expected to be held at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street at the end of April 2025. The decision of the organizing committee is final.