Volunteer campaigns are being launched in various localities.

On the morning of July 15, 2014, a ceremony was held to launch and hand over volunteers between the Youth Union and Student Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and local units in Minh Quang and Khanh Thuong communes (Ba Vi district, Hanoi) and Kien Dai commune (Chiem Hoa district, Tuyen Quang province). This year's summer volunteer campaign lasted 20 days (from July 15 to August 5, 2014). The model of volunteering in remote areas, organized annually, always attracted a large number of participants from the Youth Union and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The launching ceremony in Chiem Hoa (Tuyen Quang) was jointly organized by the Youth Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and the Chiem Hoa District Youth Union. Attendees included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Huong (Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Chairman of the Trade Union, Head of the Political and Student Affairs Department of VNU), Mr. Vu Van Hai (Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union - President of the Student Association of VNU), Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen (Deputy Secretary of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Youth Union), Ms. To Thi Nhan (Permanent Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Council of Chiem Hoa), Mr. Ha Quang Phuong (Member of the Provincial Youth Union Executive Committee, Secretary of the Chiem Hoa District Youth Union), along with representatives from the Standing Committees of VNU's Youth Union branches and 206 student volunteers participating in the campaign. Currently, there are 8 VNU volunteer teams participating in volunteer work in 8 different communes in Chiem Hoa district.

Scene from the mobilization ceremony in Chiem Hoa (Tuyen Quang)/Photo: Thanh Long

Leading the volunteer team in Kien Dai commune (Chiem Hoa district, Tuyen Quang province) were Comrade Tran Bach Hieu (Secretary of the University Youth Union) and Comrade Tran Duc Hoa (Member of the Executive Committee of the University Youth Union, Vice President of the University Student Association), along with 28 student union members from various faculties/departments. For this long volunteer trip to a location quite far from Hanoi, Comrade Tran Bach Hieu encouraged and motivated the volunteers before they began their tasks. The Kien Dai commune Youth Union organized accommodation for the 28 volunteers at the commune's health station throughout the campaign. Every day, the volunteers helped the local people with road construction, concrete pouring, teaching children, etc.

Representatives of the volunteer teams from Vietnam National University, Hanoi receive flowers at the launching ceremony in Chiem Hoa (Tuyen Quang)/Photo: Huy Duc

On the part of the two volunteer teams in Minh Quang and Khanh Thuong communes (Ba Vi, Hanoi), led by Comrade Nguyen Thi Mai Lan (Deputy Secretary of the School's Youth Union, President of the School's Student Association) along with 55 union members and students. Upon arriving in the communes, the two volunteer teams were divided into small groups, living and interacting with local households (according to the "3 common criteria"):Eating together, living together, sharing daily lifeEarlier, Comrade Nguyen Thi Mai Lan also encouraged and advised the volunteer teams to be perceptive and skillful in carrying out their duties. Every day, the two teams coordinate with the local authorities to organize youth football tournaments, teach children, clean roads, etc.

Ba Vi volunteer team salutes the flag during the mobilization ceremony/Photo: Huy Duc

The 2014 Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign was an opportunity for each student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with young people in local areas, to build many practical and useful projects, helping the people and local authorities build new rural areas. It was also an opportunity and environment to train and hone practical knowledge, demonstrating the enthusiasm and responsibility of young people in building their homeland and country.