Youth power in the "Digital Education for All" movement in Thai Binh

80 years ago, the “Popular Education” movement launched by President Ho Chi Minh became a symbol of solidarity, aspiration for knowledge and the people’s will to overcome illiteracy. Today, in the digital age, that spirit is inherited and promoted through the “Popular Digital Education” movement. In Thai Binh, the movement is spreading strongly thanks to the youth, contributing to popularizing digital knowledge and skills to all classes of people.

Báo Thái Bình•17/04/2025

Youth Union members of Quynh Hong commune (Quynh Phu) guide people to install software on smartphones.

Sowing digital knowledge to every citizen

In Quynh Hong commune (Quynh Phu), these days, the green volunteer shirts of union members and young people appear regularly on all roads and hamlets. They go to each household, persistently instructing people to use smartphones, register for online public services, make cashless payments, or access digital applications to serve production and life. Mr. Cao Duc Nam, Quynh Hong commune, said: Union members and young people in the commune go to homes to popularize data encryption and data in phones to update digital transformation software. Elderly people like me find it much more convenient and safer than before and prevent online social fraud. For Mr. Nguyen Ba Vinh, Quynh Hong commune, approaching digital transformation in the 4.0 era is welcomed by many people. "Our people are very supportive, because everything is now much faster and safer" - Mr. Vinh shared.

These are just two of many people in the commune who have been supported by union members and youth to install software on digital platforms. However, for the elderly, accessing digital technology is not easy. Mr. Nguyen Lam Hung, a member of the Quynh Hong commune union, said: Many elderly people were initially hesitant, but after being carefully instructed, they gradually got used to looking up information, paying fees, using VNeID, etc. Currently, most of those who have been instructed are proficient in using digital technology software operations on smartphones. “In recent times, the Youth Union of Quynh Hong commune has regularly organized propaganda and training sessions on the use of digital platforms in village cultural houses. In particular, the Youth Union of the commune has established 10 youth shock teams to go to each village, bringing national public services closer to the people. Up to now, about 30% of people in the commune have mastered the use of online public services, we strive to reach 80% by July 2025” - Mr. Nguyen Trong Viet, Secretary of the Youth Union of Quynh Hong commune shared.

The "Digital Education for All" movement not only takes place in localities but also spreads to classrooms. At Thai Binh University, nearly 3,000 students are actively participating in propaganda programs on safe use of social networks and prevention of high-tech crimes. Ms. Vu Thi Thanh, Secretary of the Youth Union of Thai Binh University, said: In addition to propaganda sessions of the Provincial Youth Union, we also organize seminars and talks with the participation of lecturers in information technology and law. Such knowledge helps students be vigilant against increasingly sophisticated forms of digital fraud. Thereby, each student is not only equipped with self-protection skills but also becomes a "nucleus" to spread positive information to friends and relatives.

Bridge bringing digital technology into life

The province currently has nearly 690 youth volunteer teams for "Digital Education for the People" with more than 6,000 members. Youth volunteer teams operating in 8/8 districts and cities play the role of a bridge between people and digital technology such as: guiding people on how to use computers, smart devices, and social networks to avoid digital fraud; identifying and preventing bad and toxic information in digital space; using online public services and interacting with the government via digital platforms; participating in e-commerce platforms; sales skills via e-commerce platforms; cashless electronic payments and other digital applications serving production and business; ways to make cashless payments, how to use other digital applications serving production and business... During Youth Month 2025, Thai Binh Provincial Youth Union directed Youth Unions in districts and cities to organize nearly 200 "Digital Education for the People" classes; Transferring union activities to the residence on the union management software for more than 50,000 union members; more than 50% of young people use online public services, more than 70% of young people use electronic payment accounts... Mr. Dao Nhat Duy, Deputy Head of the Provincial Union Movement Committee, said: In the current 4.0 era, the "Digital Education for the People" movement is a new term used recently, the movement aims to popularize digital knowledge and digital skills for people, turning each union member and young person into an active propagandist, propagating to their own family members and the community.

Each "Digital Education for the People" youth volunteer team in Thai Binh has 8-10 members, including a union officer who is a commune police officer. The volunteers guide people to use online public services and help them raise awareness of protecting personal information in cyberspace. Mr. Pham Dinh Chinh, Secretary of the Youth Union of Vu Dong commune (Thai Binh city) said: We have deployed up to 50% of households to access online public services, striving to have all families in the area use online public services and use digital software proficiently and safely this April.

Despite many achievements, the "Digital Education for All" movement in Thai Binh still faces many difficulties. One of the biggest difficulties is maintaining classes and attracting people to participate regularly, especially those who are elderly or have difficult living conditions. However, the youth from volunteers, union members, and young people is always a great source of motivation to help the movement spread strongly. They not only bring knowledge but also breathe new life into the work of popularizing knowledge about digital platforms for people. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Thuy, Secretary of the Quynh Phu District Youth Union, said: We consider this one of the movements that needs to mobilize youth, promote the spirit of youth creativity, that's why we set up volunteer teams to go directly to each household to guide regardless of day or night and on Saturdays and Sundays. It is the youth and initiative that help the movement spread strongly.

“Digital Education for All” in Thai Binh is not only a simple movement, but also a vivid symbol of the intersection between tradition and modernity. With the cooperation of the young generation, the movement is gradually bringing technology closer to the community, contributing to building a learning, digital and sustainable development society. Mr. Thieu Minh Quynh, Secretary of Thai Binh Provincial Youth Union affirmed: “Digital Education for All” is a bridge connecting tradition and the future, between the desire for knowledge and the 4.0 era. In the coming time, the “Digital Education for All” movement will be deployed at its peak in the summer youth volunteer campaign with models in localities and densely populated areas. Classes will be organized in residential communities in both in-person and online forms. The goal is that by the end of 2025, over 80% of Thai Binh people will have access to “Digital Education for All” classes.

The “Digital Literacy for All” movement in Thai Binh is creating a bridge connecting the past and the future, between youth and the aspiration for digital transformation. With the spirit of volunteerism and creativity, young people across the province are spreading digital knowledge to every citizen, contributing to building a comprehensive digital community and a sustainable society.