[Green Summer Journey] We are Yen Trung

As planned, at 6:45 AM on July 18th, the convoy of vehicles transported the volunteer team to Bac Ninh. Accompanying the 27 volunteers was Comrade Nguyen Van Dap, a member of the Standing Committee of the University's Youth Union from the Faculty of International Studies. The 27 volunteers, wearing blue shirts, were from the K57 and K58 cohorts of the Faculty of Management Science, the Faculty of International Studies, and the Faculty of Journalism, with Ho Thi Hong Nhung (K57, Faculty of Management Science) as the team leader.

The team's activities will take place from July 18th to July 30th. During those 12 days, the team, along with local youth, will carry out several activities: "Cleaning and improving the environment; organizing cultural and artistic activities for children and teenagers; visiting and giving gifts to disadvantaged families and families of policy beneficiaries in the locality; and especially, organizing a memorial service at the martyrs' cemetery on the evening of July 26th." Le Ninh Son (K58 International - Head of the team's professional work committee) shared.

At 8:30 AM, the group arrived at the Yen Trung Commune People's Committee and was warmly welcomed by representatives of the commune government and members of the Youth Union. The two sides exchanged greetings and had a brief meeting in the commune hall to discuss the characteristics of the area and the activities planned for the volunteer days. Afterwards, the volunteer group was led to Vong Dong village to receive their accommodation and had their first simple lunch.

At 3:00 PM, the volunteers in their blue uniforms appeared along the main road leading into the village and at the village communal house to carry out environmental sanitation work. Laughter rang out, and the sound of brooms rustling filled the neighborhood. Many villagers were surprised, but many children quickly became familiar with and joined hands with the volunteers.

At 7:30 PM, after a quick dinner, the team arrived at the communal house in Vong Dong village for a cultural performance to introduce themselves to the villagers and attract young people and children to join in the fun. The performance ended at 10:00 PM.

On the morning of July 19th, the team officially started their work with great enthusiasm and pleasant, cool weather. Today, the entire team would work together to clean and clear the irrigation ditch leading to the village's rice fields to provide water for the ongoing planting season. These university students, accustomed to studying in lecture halls, volunteered to carry hoes and sickles, joining in the harvest season with the villagers. I could also hear the sweet melodies of Quan Ho folk songs echoing from the green rice paddies, further motivating the volunteer team as they waded through the ditches.

"Boldness and enthusiasm"—that's what the volunteer team in Yen Trung is demonstrating. And that's also the identity of the students of the Faculty of Humanities in particular, and Vietnamese students in general.

"Wherever there's a need, there's youth."

"Where there are difficulties, there are young people."

Some photos from the Yen Trung team's journey.

The Yen Trung Volunteer Team assembled.

Reception at the People's Committee of Yen Trung Commune

Cleaning up the village temple and village roads (Photo: Tuyet Chung)

Cultural exchange night at the village communal house.

With hoes and sickles in hand, "we" head to the fields.

Remove water hyacinths and clean the main water channel.

Solidarity – an identity that is expressed at all times and in all places.

Clear the weeds from the edge of the field.

It's just sweat!

The opening day ended successfully.