HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam Summer Camp 2025 officially kicked off on July 14 in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the first day of a two-week journey across multiple provinces, aimed at connecting young overseas Vietnamese with their homeland through cultural, historical, and community activities.
This year’s camp, themed “Together, We Write the Next Chapter of Peace”, brings together over 100 young Vietnamese expatriates from 31 countries and territories. On the opening day, participants visited key historical landmarks, including offering incense at the Ho Chi Minh Statue, Nha Rong Wharf, where President Ho Chi Minh departed in 1911 on his quest for national salvation, and the Thong Nhat Hall.
They also took part in a “back-to-the-roots” programme at the Cu Chi Tunnels, a symbol of the Vietnamese people's resilience, intelligence, and unwavering determination during the struggle for national independence and reunification.
Ngo Thi Thanh Mai, deputy head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and head of the Vietnam Summer Camp 2025 delegation, said the camp's theme is a call for the young overseas Vietnamese generation to help spread Vietnam’s values of peace, compassion, inclusiveness, and aspiration for development. It also honours the legacy of previous generations who sacrificed for the country’s independence and growth.
Throughout the journey across all three regions, North, Central, and South, the participants will not only explore Vietnam’s history, culture, and society but also share their impressions and stories through various exchange activities with local youth and communities.
A notable highlight of the programme is an exchange with the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, allowing participants to understand Vietnam’s contributions to global peace efforts.
Running from July 13–26, the camp will visit HCM City, Dak Lak, Quang Ngai, Da Nang, Quang Tri, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, and Hanoi. Activities include visits to historic sites such as the Kon Tum Prison Relic Site, and the Quang Tri Martyrs Memorial. It also involves charity work supporting ethnic minority communities in the Central Highlands, cultural exchanges involving gong performance, Vietnamese language interactions, and dialogues with peacekeeping officers.
Organised annually by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs since 2004 (with a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19), Vietnam Summer Camp serves as a meaningful platform for young expatriates to reconnect with their roots, strengthen bonds with their peers in Vietnam, and foster a deeper love for the homeland./.
