Listening to Youth: Unlocking Resources to Create the Future

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and outstanding young people at the dialogue with Vietnamese youth in 2025 on March 24 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In every stage of historical development, young people have always been the vanguard. They have youthful energy, aspiration and a spirit of dedication. But in today's era - the era of technology and innovation - that role is not only to be a vanguard but also the country's most powerful source of innovation and creativity.

In his latest article, General Secretary To Lam also shared his vision and aspiration for building a generation of Vietnamese youth who are brave, progressive, intellectually excellent, physically superior, and culturally rich, confident enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with international friends, contributing to bringing the country to strength and development.

We are witnessing a generation of Vietnamese youth full of courage and talent. They not only consume technology, but also master technology, create useful products for the community and have international influence. They do not only talk about the future but are contributing to creating the future.

Practice has proven this. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hieu, a young scientist in Australia, is pioneering research on high-efficiency solar cell technology, opening up a new direction for renewable energy. In Vietnam, Nguyen Hai Dang and a group of young students have successfully developed artificial intelligence software to detect early lung cancer from X-ray images, bringing practical value to the health sector. Nguyen Hoang Long, founder of the BusMap application, has contributed to solving the problem of public transport in large cities through digital technology. In agriculture, Tran Minh Tiep and a research team at the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture have created biological products from native bacteria, contributing to reducing dependence on chemicals and building a more sustainable agriculture.

These faces are not alone. They represent thousands of young people who are quietly but strongly innovating in labs, startups, and open technology spaces. They are the affirmation that Vietnamese youth can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world, if they are trusted and given the right conditions.

Listening is a step in the right direction, but listening alone is not enough. For young people to truly make a breakthrough, the country needs to proactively create a favorable environment for them to develop. This could mean establishing venture capital funds co-funded by the State and the private sector, prioritizing youth-led startups. It could mean expanding youth access to creative spaces, modern laboratories, research and technology databases. It could mean organizing regular dialogue forums where young people can present ideas, debate policies and connect with experts.

Along with that, there needs to be a mechanism to attract successful young Vietnamese people abroad – scientists, technologists, and innovators of Vietnamese origin who are at the forefront of new fields. They are the bridge between Vietnam and the world, the catalyst for the transfer of knowledge, capital, experience, and spreading inspiration for dedication.

The Prime Minister presented flowers and encouraged delegates who are disabled but have overcome difficulties and excelled in work and study - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The development lessons of advanced countries show that: Breakthroughs never come from old thinking. Breakthroughs only come from those who dare to think differently, dare to do differently - and the most potential force is the youth. If you want a breakthrough, put your trust in the youth. If you want a breakthrough, create conditions for the youth to contribute, to try and make mistakes, to correct themselves and to fly far.

A nation that wants to rise cannot lack aspiration. But aspiration will only be words without institutions to open up, promote and accompany it. Therefore, the Prime Minister's regular and periodic dialogue with young people and direction to establish a channel to listen to young people is not only an administrative initiative, but also a declaration: We are entering a period of creation, where every young person can become an agent of change and every new idea can become a driving force for national development.

Listen to the youth. Accompany the youth. Because they – with their youth and intelligence – will be the ones to continue writing the story of Vietnam’s strong and prosperous development in the 21st century.

Dr. Nguyen Si Dung

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nghe-thanh-nien-mo-khoa-nguon-luc-kien-tao-tuong-lai-102250326064637908.htm