Attractive through national history and culture

Could you please say something about the preparation for the Vietnam Summer Camping 2006?

We have started the preparation for the Vietnam Summer Camping 2006. The announcement of the camping has been sent to Vietnamese representative agencies in foreign countries. We are currently working out specific plans to make this camping more attractive to young people through exchanges or seminars o­n culture and history.

It is known that this camping will have many new things?

Yes, this year we will select about 50-60 typical Vietnamese Overseas youths to participate in the camping. Although the number of participants is less than the previous year, the quality will be much higher.

To be able to participate in the camping, participants must not o­nly have good achievements in study and physical activities but also know the Vietnamese language. This is a compulsory condition to ensure they will not meet difficulties during their stay in Vietnam.

In order to meet the demands of youths and their families, from this year, we will organize another camping program named “Ve nguon”. This will be open to everyone in the spirit of volunteering contribution. The Community Aid Fund o­nly support partially, such as for exchange activities.

This year, destinations will also decrease to 10 instead of 15 like last year. Exchanges with local youths, seminars and meetings will be further organized. We will invite some lecturers to talk about the history and culture of the nation.

Do you have any assessment after the two Summer Camping?

We have received many stimulations and encouragements from participants’ parents. Many want to have more camping programs like this to help the youth return to their origin.

After each journey, they have more active thoughts about the country that are different from their initial prejudices. For example, last year, Vietnamese Overseas youth from the US were still timid but then they become more excited to participate in all activities and even compose songs about Vietnam.

In addition, the camps help young people from different countries become closer to o­ne another. After each camp they keep in touch and promise to contribute to the country when reaching adulthood. o­n return to their country, they tell friends their positive impressions of Vietnam. Therefore, the number of registers to the camping program increases each year.

Thank you very much!