More than 1,000 young people in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on June 7 shaped a map of Vietnam, including Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, showing their love towards the national seas and islands.

This formed part of activities to mark the launch of the Voluntary Youth Summer Campaign in the province and respond to the World Environment Day and the Vietnam Seas and Islands Week 2014.

The activity aimed to affirm Vietnam ’s sovereignty over the two archipelagoes and protest against China ’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam ’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, said Truong Hong Trang, Secretary of the provincial committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

This year’s volunteer summer campaign is taking place from June 1 to August 31, mobilizing local youths to join in protecting the environment, cleaning rural roads, building charity houses and assisting students during trips to attend university entrance exams.

Also at the launch ceremony, young people gathered rubbish a sea dyke in Nha Mat ward, Bac Lieu city. Young doctors from the provincial General Hospital also provided free check-ups and medicine for 500 poor Khmer ethnic patients.

The provincial Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union committee coordinated with the authorities of Vinh Loi district to release 50,000 young fish into local ponds and lakes.-VNA