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TL;DR: March 26, 1931 was chosen as the founding day of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union by decision at the 3rd National Congress (March 1961). It honors the glorious traditions of Vietnamese youth and movements initiated by the Union.
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.
How did the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union start?
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 Thái Nguyên under the name National Salvation Youth Union.
What are the Youth Union congress milestones?
- 1st Congress (1950): Nguyễn Lam elected Secretary.
- 2nd Congress (1956): Hanoi, Nguyễn 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.
What does March 26 mean in Vietnam?
March 26 honors Vietnamese youth traditions and encourages volunteerism, study, and national defense.
How is March 26 celebrated in Vietnam?
Activities include ceremonies, cultural events, new member admissions, volunteer campaigns, and awards for outstanding youth.
Why does March 26 matter around the world?
Globally, March 26 is Purple Day, raising awareness for epilepsy, founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan (Canada).
The Congresses of the Youth Union with their years, locations, and main contents are presented in the article.
| Congress | Year | Location | Main content |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1950 | Thái Nguyên | The name Vietnam Youth National Salvation Union, elected comrade Nguyễn Lam as Secretary |
| II | 1956 | Hà Nội | Comrade Nguyễn Lam continued as First Secretary |
| III | 1961 | Decided to take March 26, 1931 as the Founding Day of the Union | |
| IV | 1980 | The Union was named Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union | |
| V | 1987 | Launched youth movements | |
| VI | 1992 | Initiated two movements "Youth Entrepreneurship" and "Youth Defending the Fatherland" | |
| VII | 1997 | Continued developing the movements | |
| VIII | 2002 | Elected the Central Committee of the Youth Union | |
| IX | 2007 | Launched "Year of Pioneering Socio-Economic Development and Fatherland Protection" and "Four Companions with Youth in Establishing Themselves and Building Careers" | |
| X | 2012 | Toward a new term |
