Ms Phong made the statement at a seminar themed “Vietnamese youth with the cause of preserving and promoting traditional cultural values” held in Hanoi on April 17.

The seminar was part of the festival for young ethnic people that was held to commemorate Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups Cultural Day on April 19 and Youth Year 2011.

At the seminar, delegates proposed some policies aimed at encouraging the youth to make greater contributions to national construction and defense.

Ms Phong expressed her delight at meeting and exchanging views with young ethnic people credited with high academic records and active contributions to reducing poverty, generating jobs, and improving the quality of the country’s human resources.

She praised them as beautiful flowers and exemplary role models of the youth in their efforts to realize Uncle Ho’s teachings, actively study and follow his moral example.

Ms Phong said she believes that local authorities and youth unions at all levels will create favourable conditions for young ethnic people to make greater contributions to the homeland.  

*** During the festival, a gala night called “Colour of Youth- Colour of Solidarity” was held at the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in Dong Mo Commune, Hanoi’s Son Tay town on April 17.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan highlighted the initiative of holding the festival which coincides with Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural Day on April 19 and responds to the Youth year 2011.

Mr. Nhan said the festival has provided a good opportunity for young ethnic people to broaden their knowledge, and feel a stronger sense of responsibility towards the cause of national construction and defense, especially the international integration process.

He also affirmed that the youth is a key force in preserving and promoting the nation’s cultural identity which has been nurtured for a thousand year.