As part of the 2025 Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign, “Youth Journey,” organized by the Youth Union and Student Association of National Economics University (NEU), covered more than 1,500 km across three North Central provinces: Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri. The journey reflected young people’s gratitude and sense of responsibility, as the delegation visited five sacred revolutionary heritage sites and presented many meaningful gifts to school sites facing difficulties.

The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of the University. Also joining the delegation were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, Chair of the Advisory Council; Dr. Vu Tri Tuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Youth Union and Secretary of the University’s Youth Union; and members of the Executive Committees of the Youth Union and Student Association and the committee of NEU’s Student Party cell.

At each destination, the delegation not only offered incense in remembrance at sacred historical landmarks—revolutionary heritage sites bearing witness to the indomitable spirit and heroic sacrifices of the Vietnamese people in defending the homeland—but also paused to reflect on the nation’s glorious history.

The Vietnam–Laos International Martyrs Cemetery (Anh Son Commune, Nghe An Province) is the resting place of 10,804 fallen soldiers. To honor and remember the contributions of the heroic fallen Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who fought shoulder to shoulder with the Pathet Lao liberation forces to defend both countries, Vietnam’s Party and State built the cemetery as a resting place for Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who fought and died in Laos. Looking back on this glorious history, we can take pride in the great friendship and the special and rare solidarity between the two countries. The cemetery stands as a symbol of the determination, sacrifices, and bonds between soldiers and civilians embodied by the outstanding sons and daughters of the fraternal nations of Vietnam and Laos.

The delegation offers incense at the Vietnam–Laos International Cemetery (Nghe An).

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of the University, and Nguyen Huu Sang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Anh Son Commune, Nghe An, ring the memorial bell at the Vietnam–Laos International Martyrs Cemetery.

The Dong Loc Junction Historical Site (Ha Tinh) lies on the Truong Son Trail in Dong Loc Commune, Ha Tinh Province. All routes from the North to the South passed through Dong Loc Junction, making it a vital artery and transport “bottleneck” for supplying personnel and material resources from the North to the southern battlefield. This site witnessed the supreme sacrifice of 10 young women volunteers, aged around eighteen to twenty. They gave everything for independence, freedom, reunification, and territorial integrity. Dong Loc Junction has entered the history of Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation as an indomitable epic of the sacrifices and iron determination of the soldiers and people of the North in support of the great southern front.

The delegation at the Dong Loc Junction Historical Site (Ha Tinh).

The Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Historical Site (Quang Tri) was a fierce battlefield during the fiery summer of 1972, where thousands of soldiers fell during 81 days and nights defending the citadel. In this sacred and solemn historical setting, the delegation observed a solemn moment of remembrance to honor those who gave their lives for the independence enjoyed today.

The delegation at Quang Tri Ancient Citadel.

Route 9 National Martyrs Cemetery (Quang Tri): During the resistance war against the United States for national salvation, Route 9 was a strategic road for U.S. and South Vietnamese government forces, connecting the Vietnam–Laos border with Dong Ha. Along Route 9, these forces built military bases, strongholds, and bunkers to cut off supplies from the soldiers and people of the North to the southern battlefield.

Route 9 became legendary among Vietnam’s soldiers and people during the resistance war against the United States for its glorious and heroic victories. Route 9 National Martyrs Cemetery (Dong Ha Ward, Quang Tri Province) is the resting place of more than 10,000 heroes and fallen soldiers, including regular troops, local troops, militia and guerrilla fighters, and youth volunteers who fought and supported combat on the Route 9 front and in neighboring Laos throughout the resistance war against the United States.

The delegation at Route 9 National Martyrs Cemetery (Quang Tri).

Truong Son Martyrs Cemetery lies on Ben Tat Hill beside the Ho Chi Minh Highway (Tay Gio Linh Commune, Quang Tri Province), with 10,263 graves of heroes who fell on the “front line of fire” during the resistance war against the United States for national salvation. More than a sacred resting place, the cemetery is a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, commemorating an unwavering spirit and the aspiration for peace. It also expresses the profound remembrance, gratitude, and honor of the entire Party, armed forces, and people for the soldiers who gave their lives in the struggle for national liberation and reunification.

The delegation at Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery.

Alongside paying tribute at sacred revolutionary heritage sites, the delegation brought care and support to four school sites: Phuc Son Lower Secondary School (Nghe An), Vinh Ha Semi-Boarding Primary School for Ethnic Minority Students (Quang Tri), Hung Thuy Primary School (Quang Tri), and the school site in Ka Ooc Village, Dan Hoa Commune (Quang Tri). At each stop, the delegation not only presented practical gifts but also fostered a spirit of sharing, supporting efforts to bring education to disadvantaged highland areas, where modest classrooms continue to nurture the dreams of future generations every day.

The delegation presented gifts worth VND 35 million to each school site, totaling VND 140 million across all sites. The program received participation and support from the following businesses: Lenovo Vietnam, Smart Invest Securities Joint Stock Company, and Vietnam Modern Single-Member Limited Liability Commercial Bank.

The delegation visits and presents gifts at Phuc Son Lower Secondary School (Nghe An).

The delegation visits and presents gifts at Vinh Ha Semi-Boarding Primary School for Ethnic Minority Students (Quang Tri).

The delegation visits and presents gifts at Hung Thuy Primary School (Quang Tri).

Nestled in a highland village on the Vietnam–Laos border, the Ka Ooc school site, part of Trong Hoa No. 2 Semi-Boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School for Ethnic Minority Students (Dan Hoa Commune, Quang Tri), stands amid the purple blooms of wild melastoma and the leaning stilt houses of the Van Kieu ethnic community. In this sun-scorched, windswept place of hardship, there are just three permanent classrooms for five classes; the remaining classrooms are in severely damaged wooden buildings no longer suitable for teaching and learning. With no kitchen, toilets, or staff housing, teachers here persist in bringing education to children every day. Whether under the blazing sun or amid floodwaters flowing down from upstream in Laos, they keep making their way to school, their steps tireless and their hearts undaunted. Understanding these hardships and shortages, the “Contributing Bricks to Build Schools 2025” project run by NEU’s young people donated classrooms, rooms for rest, and toilets as a youth-led construction project worth a total of VND 850 million, with handover expected in August this year.

The delegation visits and presents gifts at the school site in Ka Ooc Village, Dan Hoa Commune (Quang Tri), and donates facilities through a youth-led construction project.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of the University, in Ka Ooc Village, Dan Hoa Commune (Quang Tri).

“Youth Journey 2025” concluded with many lasting impressions—a journey of gratitude and sharing, filled with emotion and pride. More than a volunteer trip, it also served as a tangible reminder of young people’s responsibility to build and defend the homeland.

More than a journey of discovery, “Youth Journey” connects the past, present, and future, following in the footsteps of generations of NEU faculty, staff, and students as they preserve traditions and spread humanitarian values.

Additional images from the journey:

Article and photos: NEU Student Association and Youth Union

Department of Communications

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