Hanoi (VNA) – The ongoing Vietnam Summer Camp 2024 will enable young overseas Vietnamese (OVs) to witness the country's modern and dynamic development, helping deepen their understanding of the nation, and encouraging them to contribute to its future development, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Hang, who is also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said that nearly 120 young OVs are scheduled to join activities honouring their ancestors, commemorating heroes and martyrs, and visiting Heroic Mothers.

Through trips to famous landscapes, historical and cultural relic sites across the three regions, they will embark on a colourful and meaningful cultural and historical journey which allows them to explore and gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's homeland, its people, culture, and history.

The camp is also an opportunity to strengthen solidarity among young OVs and between them with those at home, Hang stated, adding that it will help promote and introduce Vietnam's socio-economic achievements, as well as its unique cultural values to the world.

According to the official, the theme of the Vietnam Summer Camp 2024 is “Dat nuoc tron niem vui” (Nation Full of Joy) to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7), Hanoi’s 70th Liberation Day (October 10), and towards the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975-2025). With this significance, the journey will commence from Hanoi and conclude in Ho Chi Minh City.

For the first time, the opening ceremony will be held at the foot of the Hanoi Flagpole at the Military History Museum on July 16 evening, as this location holds a great historical value, symbolising the strong will for independence and self-reliance of the Vietnamese people, she said.

Notably, the participants will have chances to visit several cultural and scientific establishments set up by OVs, including the Cecile Le Pham Fine Arts Museum in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Research and Education (ICISE) in the central province of Binh Dinh.

The deputy foreign minister expressed her hope that after visiting these two establishments, the young OVs will be inspired to have passion for scientific research and creativity, as well as arouse in them awareness and desire to contribute to the development of Vietnam.

Hang said she hopes they will bring these emotions and memories back home, spread and share them with their friends and relatives, thus contributing to building the image of a beautiful Vietnam, rich in tradition and full of potential.

The Vietnam Summer Camp 2024, which gathers nearly 120 young overseas Vietnamese from 29 countries and territories, is taking place from July 14-29 in 12 provinces and cities throughout the country, including Hanoi, Phu Tho, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.

♑ First held in 2004, the camp, an annual programme organised by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs in coordination with relevant agencies, has brought thousands of outstanding young OVs from 16-24 years old to visit their motherland./.