Head of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Communications Commission Võ Văn Thưởng bestows the first-class Independence Order upon the Việt Nam Union of Students,  the second time the union has received the honour. VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

Students nationwide celebrated their 70th traditional day this week, highlighting outstanding examples of their studies and contributions to social activities. Việt Nam News reviews their achievements.

Đào Mai Linh, a fresh graduate from the Việt Nam Women's Academy, makes a good impression at first sight with her cheerful, active and confident personality.

Talking to her, you'd be surprised to find out about her studies and contributions to society.

Linh, 22, is one of 86 students from Hà Nội who have been praised by the city's authority for achieving top scores in the 2019 university graduation exam.

She has been awarded many times for participating in student charity projects.

“I had an unforgettable time during my four years at university. It was not only about getting the grades but also about outdoor and social work,” Linh said.

TOP OF THE CLASS: Đào Mai Linh was one of 86 students from Hà Nội to be praised by the city for achieving the top score in the 2019 university graduation exam. Photo courtesy of the student.

Linh’s law degree and a collection of awards presented by authorities and organisations such as the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union, the Việt Nam Students Union, the Việt Nam Women’s Union and the Việt Nam Women Academy are testament to her contributions as an enthusiastic student.

However, she remains shy and modest talking about her achievements.

She won second prize at the national Eloquence Contest 2018 themed "Sustainable Development Goals on Biodiversity and Financial Mechanism in Biodiversity”, and awards for university uniform design, singing and filmmaking.

Linh is also an active class leader, trusted by her friends for her enthusiastic, creative and helpful manner.

She is always at the forefront of her class activities.

As head of the English club and the deputy leader of the academy's pioneering literary team, Linh organises group meetings with interesting discussions that attract many students and create a good environment for them to study and have fun.

Linh has been on many trips organised by the academy and the youth union to remote areas and underprivileged regions to support poor people.

HELPING HAND: Đào Mai Linh helps a disabled man attend an event in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Kim Anh

Social movements such as the campaign "Summer for Green Volunteers", charity fundraising programmes and blood donation drives promoted by the Youth Union take up a lot of her time.

She wants to help improve public awareness about blood donation and environmental protection, and promote a good lifestyle and social behaviour.

When asked how she is able to balance her time between study and other activities, Linh simply says it's her passion.

“Since I was at high school, I've enjoyed group activities, and when I entered university I followed my passion and found it gave me more inspiration to study and contribute to social work,” Linh said.

“I really love this work and that passion has always helped me easily overcome challenges, even when I am tired.”

Commenting on the multi-talented student, Nguyễn Thị Khánh Ly, academic adviser at the academy’s Faculty of Law, praised Linh as one of her most outstanding students.

“She is a good example of an active, enthusiastic and creative younger generation," Ly said.

Ly was also impressed by Linh's foreign language and communication skills with teachers and friends.

Talking about her future, Linh said after graduating, she wants to pursue further study in multimedia.

“As a young member of the Youth Union, I want to contribute more to the national construction and development,” she said.

Linh plans to continue her studies to contribute to strengthening the country’s prosperity, equality, democracy and civilisation.

Along with Linh there are more than 23 million secondary, high school, college and university students trying to grow in all fields. Many of them share the same wishes and devotion.

Honourable achievements

At a recent event held by the Youth Union in Hà Nội this month to highlight outstanding young people, 10 were honoured for their successes in different areas such as scientific research, economic development, national defence-security, culture, arts, sports and volunteer activities. 
Among them, Bùi Hồng Đức, a student at the Natural Science High School for Gifted Students under the Hà Nội National University, won a gold medal at the International Olympiad in Informatics 2019, and a silver medal at the Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad 2019, among other awards. 
Another star is Bùi Hùng Thắng, 35, director of the Centre for Technology Application and Deployment under the Institute of Materials Science at the Việt Nam Academy of Science and Technology. 
Thắng was granted two patents by the Intellectual Property Office of Việt Nam in 2019 and has published many articles in national and international journals. 
The youngest face honoured at the event was Lê Trang Linh, 13, a piano student at the Việt Nam National Academy of Music, who has won first prizes at four international contests.
Independence Order

At a ceremony recently held in Hà Nội to celebrate the 70th Students' Traditional Day (January 9) by the Việt Nam National Union of Students (VNUS), Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee’s Publicity and Education Commission Võ Văn Thưởng bestowed the Independence Order, First Class, upon the union, the second time it has received the honour.
Recalling milestones in the VNUS’s history, Secretary of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and VNUS President Bùi Quang Huy said that on January 9, 1950, the National Salvation Youth Union and the Sài Gòn – Chợ Lớn Union of Students organised a demonstration involving over 2,000 students along with teachers and 7,000 local residents against the French occupation forces and American intervention in the first Indochina war.
The protest was suppressed barbarously, provoking The Vietnamese people's determination to fight the French colonialists and their henchmen.
In recognition of the students’ bravery, the first national congress of the Việt Nam National Youth League, the predecessor to the Việt Nam Youth Federation, in February 1950 chose January 9 as the traditional day of students.

A music festival was held last weekend to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Students' Traditional Day in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

Over the last 70 years, the VNUS has contributed to the nation’s glorious history, and its units have been established at 285 universities, academies and colleges nationwide, and 10 others have been set up overseas.
"Students have become an important revolutionary force making effective contributions in various fields," Huy said.
Thanks to its achievements, the VNUS has been granted many noble awards by the Party and State, including the Independence Order, the Hồ Chí Minh Order and the Gold Star Order.
Also at the ceremony, 10 collectives with outstanding achievements were awarded the Prime Minister’s merit certificates. The “Sao Tháng Giêng” (January’s Star) award was also presented to honour 100 excellent cadres of the VNUS. VNS