Vietnamese youth living abroad return to their roots

Vietnam News
12 July, 2010

Overseas Vietnamese youth listen to an account of the life of late President Ho Chi Minh at Nha Rong Wharf in HCM City yesterday before they leave for a four-day camping trip to the Mekong Delta. —VNS Photo Van Dat

HCM CITY — Some 40 overseas Vietnamese youths from 12 countries began an annual four-day summer camp after visiting Nha Rong Wharf in HCM City and laying wreaths in front of Uncle Ho's statue on Saturday.

The youngsters – who have come from Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Russia, the US, and others – learned about the life and revolutionary career of the late leader before moving on to the Mekong Delta provinces of Ben Tre and Tien Giang.

Tim ve coi nguon (return to origins), which seeks to help them learn about their motherland's culture and people's lifestyle, will take them to heritage sites and places of interest in HCM City and the southwestern provinces.

There they will learn about the heroic martyrs who laid down their lives for independence, visit typical craft villages, listen to Tai tu, the southern folk music, and take part in charity events.

Huynh Khanh Ngoc Han, 22, an overseas Vietnamese from Singapore, said since she did not know much about Vietnamese culture and tradition, this camp is very helpful for her to learn about the country.

"As people of Vietnamese origin, everyone wants to return and contribute. I will come back when I finish school. Every time we come to Viet Nam, I accompany my parents to see beautiful sights around the country. I see our country is beautiful."

The camp is organised by the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the HCM City chapter of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. — VNS