Deputy PM Phạm Thị Thanh Trà (front, third from left) and representatives of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee at the launch of the Youth Month and the 2026 spring tree planting festival on Sunday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ TĨNH — A ceremony was held by the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee in the Hà Tĩnh Province on Saturday to launch the Youth Month and the 2026 spring tree planting festival.

The event, organised at the Lý Tự Trọng Memorial Site in Việt Tiến Commune, drew the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Thị Thanh Trà, First Secretary of the Hồ Chí Minh Youth Union Central Committee Bùi Quang Huy, local leaders, representatives of Central agencies and a large number of young people and residents.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy PM Trà praised the concrete targets and tasks set for the Youth Month, which marks the founding anniversary of the Youth Union (March 26, 1931), and stressed that youth projects must closely align with local development needs and deliver practical and lasting results.

She called on young people to take the lead in science – technology, innovation and digital transformation, improve services for the public, contribute to new-style countryside and civilised urban area development, and promote start-ups, green growth and the circular economy.

The Deputy PM urged the youth to nurture ambitions, think big, act boldly and take responsibility, noting that entrepreneurship should create values, generate jobs and contribute to sustainable socio-economic development.

On the occasion, officials presented gifts to policy beneficiary families and disadvantaged students, and handed over a range of social welfare projects, including coastal windbreak trees, youth livelihood models, charity houses, a community library, free health check-ups for 1,000 people, solar-powered roads and clean water equipment.

The Youth Union also announced the official song for its 13th National Congress (2026–2031), with Áo xanh gọi tương lai (Blue shirts call the future) by Bùi Tuấn Ngọc from the Military Music and Dance Theatre winning the special prize.

Following the ceremony, leaders and participants planted trees at the memorial site, and visited policy families and the public administrative centre of Thành Sen ward.

Marking its 22nd year, the Youth Month continues to mobilise young people nationwide through practical and innovative activities, with this year’s activities focusing on two Government-initiated emulation campaigns – promoting innovation, science – technology development, digital transformation and green transition; and private sector development and state-owned enterprise efficiency enhancement, thereby reaffirming the role of youth as a pioneering force in national development. — VNA/VNS