Top 6 Historical Significance and Name Changes of the Youth Union on March 26th

Vietnam Workers' Youth Union is the next name of the Union, marking a truly glorious chapter in its history. Following the victory at Dien Bien Phu, and considering the new circumstances and tasks ahead, the Politburo of the Central Party during its September 1954 meeting decided to rename the Vietnam Youth Union for National Salvation to the Vietnam Workers' Youth Union. This was an advanced mass organization for the youth of Vietnam, functioning as a reserve force and an arm of the Party.

The Party's resolution clearly defined the Union's tasks in the new era and set out specific plans for its development. The name change played a significant role in fostering a large, nationwide youth movement, expanding the Party's grassroots base among the working class, and advancing the completion of current revolutionary tasks.

Hồ Chí Minh Vietnam Workers' Youth Union is an honorably named organization, bearing the name of the great President Hồ Chí Minh. He was a national liberation hero, a world cultural figure, and also the founder of the Union, who sadly passed away on September 2, 1969, leaving a profound sorrow among the people. In accordance with his sacred will, to fulfill the wishes of the younger generation and the proposal of the Vietnam Workers' Youth Union, the Central Party Committee, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Party's founding (3/2/1930 – 3/2/1970), passed a resolution naming the Youth Union, Young Pioneer Team, and Children’s Union after President Hồ Chí Minh.

The renaming of the Vietnam Workers' Youth Union to the Hồ Chí Minh Vietnam Workers' Youth Union was not only a great honor but also a heavy responsibility before the nation and the people. The Union, bearing the name of President Hồ Chí Minh, further emphasizes its purpose and character as the vanguard of Vietnam's youth, leading the charge for the noble ideals of the Party and President Hồ Chí Minh: national independence and socialism.

The Hồ Chí Minh Campaign of April 1975 achieved a decisive victory, fully liberating the South and reunifying the country. On March 26, 1976, the 45th Anniversary of the Youth Union's founding was celebrated with a grand ceremony in Hanoi. At this event, Youth Union organizations across the nation agreed to unify under the name Hồ Chí Minh Vietnam Workers' Youth Union. However, during the 4th Party Congress in December 1976, the Party decided to change the name of the Vietnam Workers' Party (founded in 1951) to the Communist Party of Vietnam. Consequently, the Youth Union was renamed Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union.

The Congress outlined the Union's mission in the new phase as strengthening political, ideological, and organizational capacities, establishing itself as a school of socialism for the youth, and as a reliable reserve force for the Party. Over 30 years, the Youth Union and youth across the country have contributed wholeheartedly to the building and defense of the nation, advancing the country's renewal, and especially in the industrialization and modernization of the nation under the Party’s leadership, with the goal of: Prosperous people, strong nation, fair, democratic, and civilized society.

Indochina Democratic Youth Union was the original name of the Youth Union organization we know today. In July 1936, amidst the global revolutionary movement, the Central Party Conference outlined the strategy, methods, and revolutionary struggle for the new era. At this time, the Party and the people focused on fighting against colonial reactionaries and their collaborators, demanding freedom, democracy, and improved living conditions. As a result, the Party formed the Anti-imperialist People's Front, later renamed the Democratic Front, and made an important decision to strengthen the Party's leadership over the youth movement.

From 1936 to the autumn of 1939, during this revolutionary period, the Youth Union was known as the Indochina Democratic Youth Union, in line with the Party's political directives. The Union operated openly, with its own press, publishing newspapers such as “Bản dân,” “Thế giới,” and “Mới,” circulated nationwide. In addition to publishing newspapers, the Union also established reading clubs, cultural societies, and sports groups, with a particular focus on Marxist studies. The Union developed a strong base of thousands of members, fiercely fighting under the Party's banner.

With support from the Party's regional committees, the youth movement and the Union were strengthened and expanded, with a system stretching from local communities to provinces and regions. However, when World War II broke out in September 1939, French colonial forces brutally suppressed the movement, forcing the Union to operate in secrecy once again.

Indochina Anti-imperialist Youth Union was the next name in the Union's historical timeline. Each name often carries a distinct historical meaning. In November 1939, the Party's Central Committee held its 6th meeting in Gia Dinh, emphasizing that national liberation was the top priority of the Indochinese revolution. The meeting proposed the formation of the Indochina Anti-imperialist National Front to unite all classes and ethnic groups in Indochina to overthrow French colonialism and its puppet regime.

Following the Party's guidelines, the Democratic Youth Union of Indochina was renamed the Indochina Anti-imperialist Youth Union. The Union established branches in rural areas, factories, and schools. In the new context, the Union operated secretly and became more tightly organized. Young members of the democratic youth organizations were tested, selected, and transformed into anti-imperialist youth activists. Members of general youth organizations were assigned appropriate tasks for further training.

In September 1940, the people of Indochina endured the oppressive rule of Japanese fascist invaders. However, the Vietnamese people, especially the youth, refused to submit, as demonstrated through uprisings such as the Bac Son and Nam Ky revolts, and the military mutiny at Do Luong and Cho Rang, with the red flag bearing the yellow star flying high. The Youth Union led these struggles and armed uprisings, signaling the dawn of a new era: preparing for a general uprising to seize power for the people.

Vietnam National Salvation Youth Union was formed during a critical historical moment. In November 1940, the 7th Central Party Congress convened in Dinh Bang, Bac Ninh, emphasizing that the Party's current policy was one of national salvation. The conference also declared that the Vietnamese National Salvation Youth would include all young people between the ages of 18 and 22, fighting to expel the French and Japanese. In January 1941, Nguyen Ai Quoc (Ho Chi Minh) returned to lead the Vietnamese revolutionary movement directly.

In May 1941, the 8th Party Congress convened in Pac Bo, Cao Bang, under the leadership of Nguyen Ai Quoc, reaffirming their unwavering resolve for national liberation, determined to end the people's suffering. In order to unite the people against the fascist French and Japanese, the Congress decided to establish the Viet Minh (Vietnam Independence League) and various national salvation organizations, including the Vietnam National Salvation Youth Union.

The core mission of the Vietnam National Salvation Youth Union was to lead the struggle for national liberation. Over the course of the long journey from 1941 to 1956, the Union made significant contributions, including the sacrifice of lives, alongside the people in the August Revolution, establishing the first Democratic Republic in Southeast Asia. In February 1950, the Vietnam National Salvation Youth Congress convened in the Viet Bac base area with 400 delegates from all over the country. Following this, the Union continued its path, enduring the hardships of the nine-year-long Dien Bien Phu campaign, contributing to the complete liberation of the North in 1954, and supporting the Southern liberation struggle.