Political, ideological, moral, and lifestyle education for young people today.

Volunteer team from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities "Supporting Thang Long - Hanoi Tourism in 2017"

1. Youth are the vanguard force in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Youth are a tremendous social force, the backbone of the nation, one of the crucial factors determining the destiny and future of the nation, and the main force in many fields, undertaking tasks that require sacrifice, hardship, health, and creativity. "Whether the cause of reform succeeds, whether the country enters the 21st century with a worthy position in the global community, and whether the Vietnamese revolution steadfastly follows the socialist path largely depends on the youth force, on the nurturing and training of the younger generation."[1]Throughout its leadership of the nation, the Party has always emphasized the role and position of youth, identifying them as the vanguard force of the revolution, and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union as the Party's reliable reserve force. It has implemented numerous policies to educate, train, and organize youth into a powerful, loyal force, continuing the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. At the same time, the Party has also recognized that youth work, especially youth education, always plays a crucial role. "Caring for and developing youth is both a goal and a driving force ensuring the stability and sustainable development of the country."[2].

As of 2014, the youth population of Vietnam (aged 16-30) numbered 25,078,764, accounting for 27.7% of the population and 34.6% of the social workforce. Of these, males accounted for 50.9% and females for 49.1%.[3]Thus, Vietnam currently has a large generation of young people who are knowledgeable, healthy, dynamic, and creative, unafraid of difficulties and hardships, and determined to excel in their studies, work, self-improvement, and career development, striving to legitimately enrich themselves. They are determined to lift the country out of poverty and backwardness, and aspire to contribute to the nation, secure stable employment and income, enjoy a healthy and rich cultural and spiritual life, and live in a safe environment. "Although there are still many differing sentiments, the majority of young people always trust in the leadership of the Party and the development of the country."[4].

Alongside the positive aspects of the vast majority of young people, the negative impacts of the market mechanism, the complex widening gap between rich and poor, social stratification, and foreign cultural influences have affected the awareness and actions of a significant portion of Vietnamese youth. Most worryingly, "a segment of young people lack ideals, have diminished faith, show little concern for the country's situation, lack awareness of law compliance, live pragmatically, and are alienated from national cultural traditions. The education level of a segment of young people, especially rural youth and ethnic minority youth, remains low; many lack knowledge and skills for international integration. The independence, initiative, creativity, and practical skills of young people after training are weak and do not meet the requirements of industrialization and modernization. The crime rate and social vices among young people are increasing and becoming more complex."[5].

One of the fundamental causes of this situation is the limited effectiveness of political and ideological education, as well as moral and lifestyle education for the younger generation. This education has not met the demands of the new situation, and in some cases, has not been given sufficient importance. Educational methods are often rigid and lack appeal. The content is frequently impractical, lacking selectivity and refinement to make it easily understandable. Educational methods do not adequately focus on fostering and encouraging the proactive and self-disciplined development of young people – a crucial factor determining the effectiveness of education.

Given this situation, more than ever, the education of Youth Union members and young people, with a focus on political, ideological, moral, and lifestyle education based on innovative educational methods, is a top priority for the Youth Union today.

Student volunteers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities participate in planting trees at the Friendship Garden.

2. Basic content on political, ideological, moral, and lifestyle education for the younger generation.

The focus of political, ideological, moral, and lifestyle education is on fundamental issues of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the Party's policies and guidelines, especially Directive No. 42-CT/TW of the Central Secretariat of the 11th Party Congress (March 24, 2015) and Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Party Congress (2016), to equip youth union members with a correct, fundamental, and foundational worldview and methodology to analyze practical issues. On this basis, it helps young people better understand, fully and accurately, the role of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the Party's guidelines and viewpoints in building the country according to the socialist orientation, maintaining a firm stance against the conspiracies, tactics, and subversive actions of hostile forces against our revolution, and correctly recognizing the values ​​of truth, goodness, and beauty to strive for learning, training, work, and readiness to contribute. The Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Party (2016) clearly states: “Do a good job in political and ideological education, instilling traditions, ideals, ethics, and lifestyles; create conditions for learning, working, recreation, and developing the physical and intellectual abilities of the younger generation; encourage and inspire young people to nurture great dreams and aspirations, to be proactive, creative, and to master modern science and technology; to form a class of outstanding young people in all fields, faithfully and excellently continuing the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.”[6].

However, the current challenge in education is to define specific standards regarding revolutionary ideals, ethics, and lifestyles for educating young people. In this regard, it is necessary to continue to widely implement the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's thought, ethics, and style, as well as other campaigns, to build core values ​​for young people: loyalty, creativity, aspiration, commitment, respect, and responsibility. This aims to achieve more tangible and widespread results, successfully implementing the Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Zero-Cost Supermarket - Humanities Youth accompany students during the 2020 exam season.

Educating young people is a task for the entire political system, in which the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union plays a crucial role. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union is entrusted by the Party with the task of being the "socialist school for youth," effectively carrying out the work of educating young people on revolutionary ideals, ethics, and cultural lifestyles. Over the years, the Union has gradually reformed the content and methods of education, focusing on identifying and highlighting good people and good deeds, and promoting active and self-aware self-cultivation and self-education among young people. The revolutionary action movements launched by the Union have created a vibrant practical environment for young people to train and contribute. The Union's press and publishing agencies have grown steadily, making important contributions to guiding and educating the younger generation. The Union's cultural institutions have trained and nurtured many generations of outstanding young people, who have become the core of various movements. The viewpoints, policies, and guidelines of the Party, the State, and the Youth Union have been conveyed to young people through various new methods such as dramatization and artistic expression. The Youth Union has initially approached and effectively utilized modern communication tools and new technologies to disseminate information and mobilize young people. The team of speakers, propagandists, and revolutionary song propaganda teams of the Youth Union have been strengthened, improved, and their operational quality enhanced.

Under the leadership of the Party, the State, all levels and sectors, and the entire society, along with the efforts of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the education of the younger generation has yielded many positive results. Vietnamese youth increasingly have better environments and conditions to train and mature, contributing to the formation of revolutionary ideals, ethics, a cultured lifestyle, adherence to the law, and the gradual perfection of their character. The vast majority of young people trust in the leadership of the Party and the development path of the country; live responsibly towards the Fatherland, their families, and themselves; have dreams and aspirations; possess knowledge, skills, and good health; and have dynamic, creative thinking, daring to think and knowing how to act.

To further improve the quality and effectiveness of youth education, the Party, the State, and the entire political system need to invest appropriately in the training and education of young people; seriously and comprehensively implement the solutions identified in Directive No. 42-CT/TW of the Central Party Secretariat of the 11th Party Congress on "Strengthening the Party's leadership over the work of educating revolutionary ideals, ethics, and cultural lifestyles for the younger generation in the period 2015-2030," and Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Party Congress on strengthening Party building and rectification; preventing and repelling the decline in political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, and the manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party.

USSH student volunteers participated in welcoming students back to school after the quarantine period due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

3. Some experiences

Based on practical experience in educating the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union members on revolutionary ideals, ethics, and lifestyle, the following lessons can be drawn:

Firstly, strengthen political, ideological, and traditional education for the younger generation through diverse and varied forms, with the responsible participation and coordination of the education sector, families, mass organizations, and the entire society. Innovate the content and methods of studying political theory to suit each group of Youth Union members. Link the education of ethics and cultural lifestyle with the creative implementation of Directive 05 of the Politburo on "Promoting the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style," emphasizing the exemplary role of Youth Union officials and guiding young people to cultivate the criteria of "Pure heart - Bright mind - Great aspirations." The Communist Youth Union advises Party committees and authorities at all levels to periodically meet, exchange ideas, and engage in dialogue with young people. Improve the quality and effectiveness of the work of lecturers and propagandists, proactively grasping and forecasting the ideological situation and guiding public opinion among young people, especially in large cities and sensitive areas. Coordinate with all levels and sectors to disseminate legal education, combat, criticize, and correct erroneous perceptions and wrong behaviors among cadres, union members, and young people.

Secondly, educating the younger generation about revolutionary ideals, ethics, and cultural lifestyles is a strategic, long-term, and crucial task that requires appropriate attention and investment. Investing in education, including the education of revolutionary ideals, ethics, and cultural lifestyles for the younger generation, is an investment in the future of the country. This is the responsibility of the entire Party, all levels, sectors, organizations, families, and society as a whole; creating the best possible conditions for the younger generation to study, work, and contribute, becoming the force that builds and defends the Fatherland, and worthily continuing the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

Thirdly, we must build truly strong and comprehensive Youth Union organizations at all levels in terms of politics, ideology, and organization, expanding the gathering and unity of young people, strengthening education, training, and support for Youth Union members and young people in all aspects, especially in building revolutionary ideals, goals, and motivations for striving.

Fourth, continue to implement and organize meaningful revolutionary action movements among young people. Through these activities, each youth union member, especially the youth union and association leaders, must strive to cultivate and improve themselves to continuously enhance their political acumen, moral character, faith, and work capacity. At the same time, special attention should be paid to the education and dissemination of laws; supporting young people in their studies and scientific research; and educating them in essential social and life skills.

Strengthening the education of revolutionary ideals, ethics, and lifestyles for young people in the current period is one of the important requirements in the youth education work of the Youth Union. Besides the core role of the Youth Union organization, the active and urgent involvement of the entire political system is needed to ensure the building of a generation of young people who are both "red" (ideologically sound) and "expert" (professionally competent), capable of shouldering the great tasks of the country's industrialization and modernization process.