The Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) will launch a movement dubbed “I love my homeland” with a view of encouraging youngsters to act practically for national development, said VYF President Nguyen Dac Vinh.

The movement will be observed from 2014 to 2019 as the first and only one of its kind, said Vinh, who is also first Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Youth Union Central Committee, at events held on the sidelines of the VYF’s seventh National Congress in Hanoi on December 28.

It looks to rally youngsters to following an honest, responsible, and energetic lifestyle and to standing ready for the homeland if necessary.

According to historian Duong Trung Quoc, patriotism is a core value of development and should be handed down between generations.

Participants focused on how to boost the youths’ vanguard role in the country’s international integration.

They pointed to the need for youngsters to sharpen their foreign language, IT skills and enrich their knowledge of culture, national history and international exchange in the integration process.

Local youth unions nationwide shared their experience and new solutions to fostering solidarity with Vietnamese youngsters living abroad and mobilising international resources for the growth of the youth.

Discussions sought support for youngsters who want to develop entrepreneurial career.

Over the past 20 years, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs’ Association members have created jobs for 2.5 million labourers and provided a great deal of financial assistance to social activities annually.

The same day, a televised music and art performance was organised, featuring the youth’s determination to protect the nation’s sacred sea and island sovereignty and make the country prosper.-VNA