The sixth National Congress of the Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) for the 2010-2015 term opened in the capital city of Hanoi on April 27.

Prominent among the guests at the congress were Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong sent baskets of flowers, and General Vo Nguyen Giap conveyed a letter to congratulate the congress.

Representatives of revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of armed forces and labour, and leaders of ministries, agencies and mass organisations joined 995 Vietnamese youth delegates both at home and abroad at the event.

Speaking at the congress, Party General Secretary Manh said the current generation of youth has succeeded in the glorious tradition of the Party, the nation and older generations, upholding the patriotism and the spirit of socialist construction and defence, proving themselves ready to face hardships and difficulties, taking responsibility for their families and for society, as well as being determined to set themselves up in business and lift the country out of its underdeveloped status.

The affairs of young people in general and the VYF in particular have seen positive changes, he said, adding that movements launched by the VYF have come to life, encouraging the youth to actively participate in all aspects of the society, volunteering for the sake of the community and for the goal of a rich people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.

The Party leader asked the VYF to continue improving the political consciousness and thinking, patriotism, ideals and revolutionary ethics, along with promoting a healthy lifestyle for its members, helping them to be profoundly aware of their responsibilities and obligations as well as their role and position in the Fatherland and for the sake of the people.

The immediate and long-term task of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) and the VYF is to help the Party gather and unite youths from all walks of life into a firm bloc, build ethical standards and map out new directions for them in line with the thoughts and morals of President Ho Chi Minh, he said.

The Party chief stressed that the VYF’s affairs are aimed at building up a generation of excellent young people in all fields to loyally take over the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. These youths must be talented, consistent politically, ambitious and ready to cope with all difficulties and challenges, he added.

First Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee and VYF President Vo Van Thuong said the federation’s work and youth movements in the 2010-2015 period will focus on building a strong VYF, gathering more young people, and taking care of and protecting their legitimate rights and benefits.

The VYF will encourage the youths to pursue their ambitions and set up careers, and uphold their talent and strengths to foster the country’s international integration, socio-economic development and preservation of cultural identity, he said.

During the next term, Thuong added, the federation will also continue to assemble young overseas Vietnamese, guide and support the operations of associations of young people and students abroad, and work to recognise these organisations as official members of the VYF.

At the day-long congress, 20 individuals representing Vietnamese youth from all walks of life were honoured for their outstanding performance over the past five years./.