The 2026 Action Month for Children in Hai Phong City officially kicked off with a large-scale community event series titled "Hai Phong - Lighting Up Dreams 2026." Held on May 30 and 31, 2026, at the City Youth and Children's Cultural Palace, the series of activities served not only as a career orientation launchpad for the younger generation, but also created a significant buzz with a vibrant Youth Culinary and Cultural Festival. This was a place to honor local agricultural products, OCOP specialties, and the green entrepreneurship spirit of the port city's youth.
Dak Nong Vietnam Youth Federation organizes "Lighting Up Dreams of Rehabilitation" in 2024 Vietnam National University of Agriculture offers 1,800 scholarships worth nearly 30 billion VND for new students Between two rice crops in Hai Phong: Capitalizing on the "gap" for profit
From Gen Z Career Guidance to Entrepreneurial Aspirations in Indigenous Agriculture
Context and Organizing Units
On the morning of May 30, 2026, at the Hai Phong City Youth and Children's Cultural Palace (No. 45 Lach Tray, Gia Vien Ward), the Standing Committee of the Hai Phong Youth Union, the Vietnam Youth Federation of Hai Phong, and the Vietnamese Students' Association of Hai Phong closely collaborated with the Hai Phong Youth and Children's Cultural Palace to inaugurate the program "Gen Z's Journey to Future Careers" and the "Hai Phong Youth Culinary Culture Festival 2026." These were the inaugural activities under the community initiative "Hai Phong - Lighting Up Dreams 2026."
The event is a practical project celebrating the success of the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (2026–2031 term), the 1st Congress of the Vietnam Youth Federation of Hai Phong City (2026–2029 term), and the 1st Congress of the Vietnamese Students' Association of Hai Phong City (2026–2028 term).
Attending and speaking at the opening ceremony were Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy – Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong City and Secretary of the Hai Phong Youth Union; along with representatives from municipal departments, agencies, local administrations, universities, colleges, vocational schools, high schools, enterprises, training institutions, recruiters, and numerous local youth union members, youths, and students.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy emphasized:
“This series of activities is organized to create a space for networking, experiential learning, career orientation, cultural, artistic, and sporting exchanges, and volunteer work for the city's youth union members, young people, students, and children; while also supporting youth in education, career development, employment, entrepreneurship, and international integration.”
Within the program's framework, "Gen Z's Journey to Future Careers" offered career counseling, job placements, CV consultations, mock interviews, and interactive panel discussions. A notable highlight this year was the experts' clear guidance for students regarding trends in the green economy.
Alongside technology sectors, entrepreneurship trends rooted in clean agriculture, high-tech applications, and sustainable development from indigenous resources are emerging as major draws for the younger generation. Many Gen Z youths expressed a desire to return and build their hometowns through smart agricultural economic models.
An Eye-Catching Display of Farm Produce and Distinctive Youth Culinary Booths
Right after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the attention of delegates and thousands of visitors shifted to the "Hai Phong Youth Culinary Culture Festival 2026." Regarded as the heart of the event series, this was where the values of agriculture, clean produce, and youth creativity converged.
The festival featured dozens of creatively designed booths that captured a rustic countryside charm while maintaining a modern, dynamic vibe. The exhibition area was divided into specialized zones: clean agricultural products, certified OCOP specialty displays, innovative youth startup products, and on-site culinary experiences.
The core value highlight of the festival was the rich variety of safe, high-quality local farm produce from districts such as Vinh Bao, Tien Lang, and Thuy Nguyen. Here, consumers could easily find organic vegetables and regional specialty fruits cultivated under stringent standards without harmful synthetic stimulants, ensuring food safety and environmental friendliness. Circular agriculture models, short food supply chains, and low-carbon distribution methods were also vividly presented to visitors by young startup teams.
OCOP booths held a prominent position at the center of the festival, asserting the standing of Hai Phong's agriculture in the new era. From traditional products with standardized processes and modern packaging to deeply processed food items, all showcased the passion and boundless creativity of the youth.
Beyond displaying raw products, the food stalls skillfully transformed these clean agricultural ingredients into unique dishes and beverages characteristic of Hai Phong's street food culture. The bustling marketplace, joyful chatter, and inviting aromas from on-site cooking stalls created an exceptionally vibrant culinary festival scene, effectively showcasing the dynamic, friendly, and culturally rich image of Hai Phong.
To encourage and recognize these positive contributions, the organizing committee formally awarded certificates of appreciation to collaborating partners, sponsors, and participating booth operators. This served as both a heartfelt thank-you and an encouragement for green enterprises and cooperatives to continue partnering with young people on the path to sustainable agricultural economic development.
Soulful "Healing Sounds" Music Night and Community Charity Activities
The appeal of the event series continued to surge on the evening of May 30 at the plaza of the Hai Phong Youth and Children's Cultural Palace with the art performance "Hai Phong - Lighting Up Dreams 2026," themed "Healing Sounds."
Ahead of the official opening, starting from 6:30 PM, the plaza was filled with energy through warm-up performances by children's art clubs. The audience enthusiastically applauded the vibrant "Soda Pop" dance by Suncrew Mini, the adorable "Rock-Paper-Scissors" routine by Shinning Kids, and the graceful ballet by CoCo Kitty club. In particular, the dance performance "Ho Vuon Minh" by young talent Doan Tran Phuong Vy and the song "Mai Dinh Lang Bien" performed by Minh Phuong deeply evoked pride in labor traditions and love for the country's seas and islands.
At 7:00 PM, the program officially kicked off with an opening belly dance performance by two talented young media ambassadors, Nguyen Kim Khanh Ha (Little Miss Tourism Universe 2025, Little Belly Dance Champion 2025) and Nguyen Kim Nhu Ngoc, followed by the modern dance routine "Our Hai Phong" performed by Suncrew.
Beyond its artistic value, the concert carried deep humanitarian significance through a charity initiative supporting children's dreams. The Organizing Committee, alongside diamond sponsor DOJI Vietnam Joint Stock Company, presented charity gifts to 25 underprivileged children across the city. Each child received 2,000,000 VND in cash along with in-kind gifts including school supplies, toys, and daily necessities provided by partner organizations and benefactors. The heartfelt moment of gift giving, combined with sparkling stage effects and fireworks, touched the hearts of the audience with an inspiring spirit of community sharing.
Immediately following, the audience immersed themselves in a warm musical atmosphere featuring singers Thanh Va, Hieu Minh, Mai Chi, and the Bee Band. The youthful, healing melodies not only enriched the spiritual life of the public, but also reflected the vision of developing Hai Phong into a "City of Music," where the arts are closely intertwined with humanitarian values and community bonding.
Spreading green living values and social responsibility on vibrant summer days
The series of events concluded seamlessly on May 31, 2026, with the "Little Run - Run for Future" community race in the morning and the closing gala "Brilliant Summer" in the evening.
The run attracted hundreds of young runners and their parents to recreational distances around Lach Tray Lake and major thoroughfares. This sporting activity not only provided a healthy playground for children to improve their physical fitness before summer vacation, but also vigorously promoted the message of green living and environmental protection—a mindset deeply aligned with the ethos of sustainable ecological agriculture.
Close coordination among the Youth Union, associations, and the Hai Phong Children and Youth Cultural Palace created an event series that surpassed expectations. From career guidance spaces and showcase booths for high-quality culinary and agricultural produce to the emotionally stirring charity concert, everything came together into a well-rounded playground. This series of activities extended beyond mere entertainment, actively promoting compassion, fostering green entrepreneurship, and affirming the dynamic, socially responsible drive of Hai Phong's younger generation today.
Source: VOAA
← Activity News