State President Nguyen Minh Triet and representatives from ministries and sectors held a dialogue with students and young intellectuals at the Hanoi National University on March 25.

Present at the meeting were Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan, Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong, Minister of Culture and Information, Le Doan Hop, first secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Standing Committee Vo Van Thuong, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Tran Van Tuan, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Bach Hong, Deputy Minister of Public Security Dang Van Hieu and others.

In his opening speech, Mr Triet said, “ Today, I am very happy to meet and have a dialogue with young people and intellectuals on the 76^th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. I would like to extend my best wishes to students, young people and teenagers inside and outside the country. After 20 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, Vietnam has made drastic and comprehensive changes and tremendous achievements in socio-economic development. The country has made remarkable progress in accelerating economic growth, boosting the process of national industrialisation and modernisation, improving people’s living standards, reinforcing the bloc of great national unity and maintaining political stability and national defence and security, thereby helping to heighten Vietnam’s position in the international arena. However, the international integration process will create new requirements as well as posing great challenges. To overcome these challenges and turn them into a driving force behind development, the Party and State are working out sound policies and guidelines while asking people throughout the country to play to their strengths in which young people are considered a key force as they hold a special position in the country’s revolutionary cause and future.”

President Triet expressed his delight at finding that not only young people in the hall, but also others across the country are interested in the dialogue. He confirmed that there will be more dialogues in the future through which the youth will continue to exchange issues of common concern.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet availed himself of this occasion to emphasize some important issues. Firstly, as Vietnam has joined the World Trade Organisation, the country will be faced with many opportunities and challenges. Therefore, young people must study well to contribute to building and enriching the country. Secondly, young people must work with all its might to fulfil their tasks and absorb all the quintessence of the world. They must also have good morals and dignity to help weaker young people move forwards to deserve the heroic actions of the previous generation. Thirdly, youth union member organizations must consolidate and strengthen their operation to better serve young people and to become close friends of young people. Youth union chapters are good places where young people will be educated about revolutionary ideals and put to the test.

Once again, President Triet confirmed that the Party and the State of Vietnam always take great care of and have much love for the younger generations. He called on them to achieve their full potential and try their best to deserve the trust placed in them.

On behalf of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, first secretary Vo Van Thuong sincerely thanked President Nguyen Minh Triet and expressed hope that young people across the country will have more chances to talk with leaders of the Party and State so that they can exchange their opinions about national construction and development.