'The two times I represented the young generation to speak at the ceremony, I will never forget it in my life'

"I am still as moved as I was when I represented the younger generation in speaking at the 130th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday in 2020. In the digital age, my friends and I can easily read, watch, listen, and feel stories and lessons about Uncle Ho every day."

On the occasion of the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025), VietNamNet had an interview with Secretary of the Youth Union of the University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh National University) Huynh Manh Phuong, who represented the younger generation twice to speak at the ceremony to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday (May 19, 2020), and the 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day (April 30, 2025).

A reminder to myself to maintain morality, courage and live more kindly

Huynh Manh Phuong shared: Being present, witnessing and speaking at the solemn celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Reunification Day is a great honor for her. She is even happier when being welcomed and supported by her friends of the same generation.

- 5 years ago, at the celebration of Uncle Ho's 130th birthday, Manh Phuong represented the young generation to speak. Today, May 19, the 135th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday, how do you feel, Phuong?

Five years ago, I had the honor to represent the young generation, as a son of the South, to report and speak at the 130th Birthday Anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi . It was a very beautiful memory. Sometimes when I review the recording of the entire program, I still feel the same emotion as before.

Huynh Manh Phuong is the representative of the young generation speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday 5 years ago and the 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 2025). Photo: NVCC

To me, President Ho Chi Minh is a sacred, shining symbol of ideology, morality, lifestyle and work. As a generation born and raised when Uncle Ho has passed away, as young people in the digital age, my friends and I can easily read, watch, listen and feel stories and lessons about Uncle Ho every day. These days of May, we miss Uncle Ho more and more, and want to do more good deeds to repay him.

I am a young person with goals.

- 5 years ago, Huynh Manh Phuong was a student, now he is an enthusiastic and energetic union officer. Looking back, how do you see yourself growing up?

In the past 5 years, I am proud to have been a young person living with goals, happy to contribute to the development of the unit and society with my small actions.

Phuong said she is a young person who lives with goals, and all her actions at work and in daily life are based on kindness, honesty and reason. Photo: NVCC

The period of 2020-2025 has witnessed many changes in the country, from the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic to the rise of a nation with heroic traditions. I believe that every young person loves their homeland and country more, knows how to sympathize, share and love life.

5 years is not long but I feel like I have grown up a lot, have a deeper awareness of my role towards my homeland, and understand the value of small contributions to the common work.

- Twice representing the young generation, Phuong's voice is the voice of the "generation". What principles does Phuong set for herself in work and life?

Many times when I look at myself, I see that I still have many shortcomings, but I believe that everything in life is always moving and developing. Seeing shortcomings is not to discourage me but to make me try harder. I always respect and encourage all progress, whether small or big, fast or slow, of myself and of those who study and work with me.

In President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, there is a prominent thesis: "Morality is the root of a revolutionary". I always remind myself that all behaviors at work and in daily life must be based on kindness, honesty and reason; at the same time, I must cultivate knowledge, improve intelligence and capacity to fulfill my duties according to Uncle Ho's teachings.

The Women's Military Band - one of the impressive parade groups at the 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day, April 30, 2025. Photo: Nguyen Hue

It is not difficult for our generation to become rich.

- Is there anything that you are not satisfied with or feel is lacking in your generation? What do you think about the spirit of dedication of young people and the current manifestations of indifference and lack of responsibility in community activities?

I feel very clearly that our generation has to face many challenges such as: the impact of economic and political instability in the world; labor competition, unemployment, the gap between rich and poor; traditional and non-traditional security issues, etc. All of these have a significant impact on the thoughts, feelings, actions and choices of the young generation.

Huynh Manh Phuong was awarded the title of Outstanding Youth Union Officer. Photo: NVCC

I admit that somewhere in my generation, there are still some bad manifestations, but that is just a phenomenon, not the nature of young Vietnamese people.

Our generation was born and raised in peace, in a rapidly developing and challenging society. I think that deep inside every young Vietnamese person is love for their homeland, love for their country and a desire to contribute.

However, depending on conditions, living circumstances, learning and working environments, each young person has a different way of expressing themselves or has not been inspired to express themselves properly.

- Some people say that some young people are boring, only want to get rich and learn easy things… What do you think about this?

Young people in any era face many challenges and we should not be too quick to look at individual phenomena and label an entire generation as “bland”.

I believe that even if we are "bland", if we are trusted, accompanied, and inspired properly, it is not difficult for our generation to become "rich".

We grew up in the era of information technology and artificial intelligence, in the enthusiastic encouragement of startups and innovation. I think the desire of young people to succeed and assert themselves early is understandable.

Many young people strive to become rich legitimately, learn quickly but also understand very quickly, and know how to apply the advantages of the times to serve themselves in studying and working.

- As a typical young person, does Phuong feel pressured by the expectation of continuing tradition as well as moving towards the era of national growth?

Like many other young Vietnamese people who always aspire to excel, I believe that extensive knowledge, healthy physique and a soul rich in Vietnamese cultural identity will be the most solid assets of my generation.

These are also the things I represented my generation to promise to all my compatriots across the country on the occasion of the country's recent important anniversary.

What jobs did President Ho Chi Minh do on his journey to find a way to save the country? President Ho Chi Minh (his childhood name was Nguyen Sinh Cung, when he went to school he was Nguyen Tat Thanh, and during his revolutionary activities he was called Nguyen Ai Quoc) did many jobs, immersing himself in the life of workers on his journey to find a way to save the country.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/hai-lan-duoc-dai-dien-the-he-tre-phat-bieu-o-dai-le-suot-doi-toi-khong-quen-2402293.html