What is March 26?
March 26 is the founding day of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. It honors the glorious traditions of Vietnamese youth in national construction and development.
History and names
The Union has had several names through revolutionary periods:
- Democratic Youth Union
- Anti-Imperialist Youth Union
- National Salvation Youth Union
- Labor Youth Union
- Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (since 1976)
March 26, 1931 was chosen as the founding day by the 3rd National Congress (March 22-25, 1961). The 1st Congress (1950) was held in Thai Nguyen under the name National Salvation Youth Union.
Congresses and milestones
- 1st Congress (1950): Nguyen Lam elected Secretary.
- 2nd Congress (1956): Hanoi, Nguyen Lam re-elected.
- 3rd Congress (1961): Decided March 26, 1931 as founding day.
- 4th Congress (1980): Renamed Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.
- 5th Congress (1987): Launched youth movements.
- 6th Congress (1992): Initiated "Youth Entrepreneurship" and "Youth for National Defense".
- 7th Congress (1997): Continued movements.
- 8th Congress (2002): Elected Central Committee.
- 9th Congress (2007): Launched "Five Pioneering" and "Four Companions" movements.
- 10th Congress (2012): New term.
Significance
March 26 honors Vietnamese youth traditions and encourages volunteerism, study, and national defense.
Celebrations
Activities include ceremonies, cultural events, new member admissions, volunteer campaigns, and awards for outstanding youth.
Note
Globally, March 26 is Purple Day, raising awareness for epilepsy, founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan (Canada).
