Youth shape the national value system, says General Secretary

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam’s top leaders once again reaffirmed the role of young people in the country’s development, calling them “the future masters of the nation.”

On the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26, 1931-2025), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam highlighted the crucial role of young people in the nation’s development and encouraged them to contribute more to the national building.

He said throughout history, the youth have played a crucial role in the nation’s development, from fighting for independence and reunification to driving economic and social progress. Generations of young leaders and intellectuals have shaped the success of the Party, with many starting their careers at an early age.

“Today, their role is even more important, as they hold the key to building new industries, leading innovation, and shaping the nation’s future. Young people play a pivotal role in upholding national, cultural, family, and moral values,” said Lam.

The risk of losing national cultural identity

The Party Chief said that in the context of globalization, the cultural values of Vietnam are at risk of being lost as transculturation can obscure traditional values.

Changes in the mindset and lifestyle of young people have led to the loss of traditional cultural values such as folk art, traditional festivals, and high moral standards in favor of foreign cultural trends.

In reality, the rise of social media has also contributed to weakening the connection between young people and the nation’s cultural identity. More worryingly, social vices and crime among the youth are on the rise, raising concerns about the weakening of the social moral foundation.

The issues have led to the need to build a healthy, creative, and resilient youth generation for the country’s sustainable development. To achieve this goal, Vietnam needs to focus on physical education, improve the overall health of the youth, and build a modern public health system.

Improving physical health helps boost well-being and enhance the stature of the Vietnamese people, laying the foundation for a confident and healthy younger generation, Lam highlighted.

Additionally, the national value system must be strengthened to protect and promote the nation’s cultural identity in the face of globalization. Therefore, education on culture, ethics, and traditional values is needed to develop a youth generation with a clear understanding of their roots and cultural heritage.

"This generation needs to grow intellectually and morally to be ready to face the challenges of globalization," Lam said, explaining that promoting national cultural values is an integral part of the human development strategy.

"Vietnam must promote the cultural industry, using culture as both an economic driver and a form of national soft power while protecting moral values among young people," he added.

Challenges remain

The general secretary praised generations of youth in Vietnam’s history, saying they have always played a decisive role in national resistance movements and in building the country.

Indeed, young people have come out strongly with slogans like “Youth ready for three readiness,” (Ready to fight bravely, Ready to join the armed forces, and Ready to serve the nation wherever and whenever needed) “Women ready for three responsibilities,” and “Youth leading the industrialization and modernization of the country”. These movements have demonstrated the dedication and sacrifice of the younger generations.

In the fields of academics, sports, and culture, young people have made many proud accomplishments, including international awards in science, mathematics, and sports.

However, they still face challenges in creativity, labor productivity, and foreign language proficiency. Vietnam’s labor productivity is only 35% that of Malaysia and 11.4% that of Singapore.

Another challenge is the health of young people, as the average height and life expectancy of Vietnamese people are lower than those of other developed countries in the region, such as Japan and South Korea.

Moreover, the aging population is growing rapidly, threatening the country’s sustainable development. It is predicted that by 2036, the elderly will account for 20% of the population, leaving financial and healthcare burdens on the younger workforce.

Strategy for young generation in the new era

With such issues facing the young people, the general secretary stressed the importance of equipping them with technological and scientific advances for the new era, requiring the country to prepare a youth generation that meets the high standards of the labor market.

“Vietnamese youth need not only creative abilities and critical thinking but also the capacity to master technology, improve foreign language skills, and excel in international communication to succeed in a globalized environment,” he said.

Therefore, it is necessary to invest heavily in education, physical health, and cultural preservation to create high-quality human resources for the country’s developed status by 2045. Vietnam should learn from international experiences and apply flexible development strategies to build a young generation that is strong, outstanding, and rich in cultural identity, he said.

Accordingly, educational policies need to be reformed to cultivate creativity, STEM skills, digital literacy, and modern technologies. At the same time, the physical development of young people should also be prioritized with effective school sports programs to improve the height and health of the Vietnamese population.

Party Chief Lam reaffirmed that the future of the country will be shaped by the strength of the young generation. If they are able to preserve their cultural identity, develop their creative intellect, and maintain their physical health, Vietnamese youth will confidently stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their international peers, driving the nation forward in the new era.

Vietnam’s path to becoming a developed nation by 2045 – the 100th anniversary of Independence Day, relies on the youth’s active involvement in education, cultural preservation, and global integration, supported by continued investment from the Party and State, the general secretary stressed.