Vietnam Summer Camp: Young Overseas Vietnamese Want to Understand More Culture and Speak Vietnamese Better

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (center) and delegates take souvenir photos with overseas Vietnamese youth at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Summer Camp 2024, held on the evening of July 16 at the Military History Museum, Hanoi - Photo: DANH KHANG

Vietnam Summer Camp is an annual event organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) since 2003, aiming to create conditions for the young generation of overseas Vietnamese around the world to return to the country to learn about the traditions, culture and history of the nation and to exchange and strengthen solidarity.

The theme of this year's event is "A Country Full of Joy", to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital, towards the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, towards the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. Therefore, the Vietnam Summer Camp 2024 will start from the capital Hanoi and end in Ho Chi Minh City.

The opening ceremony of the Vietnam Summer Camp took place on the evening of July 16. This was the first time the opening ceremony was held at the foot of the Hanoi Flag Tower, within the grounds of the Vietnam Military History Museum.

Journey across three regions of the country

In the cool weather of the capital, the vibrant atmosphere and youthful energy, young overseas Vietnamese proudly held the flags of Vietnam and the host country, taking turns stepping onto the stage to introduce themselves to the delegates attending the program.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang - Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese - welcomed young overseas Vietnamese who returned to attend the Vietnam Summer Camp 2024.

“ Humans have ancestors, like trees have roots, like rivers have sources. This is a precious tradition of generations of Vietnamese people, no matter where they live on this earth,” Ms. Hang shared.

Within the framework of the Vietnam Summer Camp 2024, overseas Vietnamese youth will visit the Hoang Sa Museum, interact with students of the Khanh Hoa Naval Academy, visit the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education of Professor Tran Thanh Van (Vietnamese living in France, a scientist researching atomic physics theory), visit the Fine Arts Museum of Ms. Cecile Le Pham (Vietnamese living in France), successful overseas Vietnamese examples and investors in Vietnam - Photo: DANH KHANG

This year’s program will take overseas Vietnamese youth to visit many scenic spots, historical and cultural relics in the three regions of the North, Central and South of the country. At each stop, they will gain more knowledge, thereby loving their homeland and country more, enriching their cultural heritage.

“You should also not forget to spend time interacting with each other, learning, connecting, living in solidarity and love, true to the two words ‘compatriots’. Especially, you must speak Vietnamese,” Ms. Hang advised.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang hopes that through the activities of the summer camp, overseas Vietnamese youth will promote patriotism, national pride and self-respect, maintain close relationships with their homeland and country, and work together with domestic youth to strive for a strong Vietnam with a position and role in the region and the world.

Hope to learn more about history, culture, speak Vietnamese better

Speaking on behalf of 120 young overseas Vietnamese, Nguyen Khue An (16 years old, overseas Vietnamese in the UK) expressed her pride in participating in the Vietnam Summer Camp 2024.

“Personally, I am very interested in language and culture. I have participated in many cultural exchange and cooperation programs with many countries, learning new languages. However, there is nothing more wonderful than connecting with friends from all over the world but sharing the same beloved Vietnamese origin that our parents and grandparents always mentioned,” Khue An boldly shared in Vietnamese, although her accent was a bit stiff.

Nguyen Khue An, a Vietnamese expatriate from the UK, represented 120 young overseas Vietnamese to speak. She shared the idea of ​​building a global network of Vietnamese Summer Camps to carry out community activities towards Vietnam, helping the Vietnamese community around the world, especially the young generation - Photo: DANH KHANG

Khue An hopes that the experiences during the 2-week journey through many provinces and cities of the country will become the foundation for understanding a modern Vietnam, which is developing rapidly but does not forget the difficulties and victories of the past.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online on the sidelines of the event, Khue An said her biggest wish when attending the program was to understand more about Vietnamese culture and speak Vietnamese better.

Trinh Dinh Gia Bao (19 years old, overseas Vietnamese in Singapore) is very excited because the schedule includes visiting many places that he has not had the opportunity to visit during previous visits to Vietnam.

The young overseas Vietnamese also revealed his love for history and has many friends who share the same passion. Therefore, when returning to Singapore, Gia Bao will share with his friends his experiences in his homeland, thereby spreading the image of Vietnam in the host country.

Young Vietnamese expatriates in Laos confidently perform songs in Vietnamese – Photo: DANH KHANG

Young overseas Vietnamese from Belarus liven up the atmosphere with a special dance performance – Photo: DANH KHANG

Joy shines in the eyes of young overseas Vietnamese. They are excitedly waiting for the 2 weeks of exploring their homeland Vietnam ahead – Photo: DANH KHANG

Singer and actor Quang Anh contributed to the program and welcomed young people to the Vietnam Summer Camp – Photo: DANH KHANG

The applause and cheers from young overseas Vietnamese from the stands seemed to give strength and confidence to the new friends. The Vietnam Summer Camp will be a beautiful memory in the memories of young Vietnamese people around the world - Photo: DANH KHANG