The Action Month for Children 2026 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 Children's and Youth Cultural Palace, the series of activities served not only as a career orientation launchpad for the younger generation, but also made a big splash with a vibrant Culinary and Cultural Festival. This space celebrated local agricultural products, OCOP products, and the green entrepreneurship spirit of the port city's youth.
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From Gen Z career orientation to the aspiration of starting up with indigenous agriculture
Context and organizing units of the program
On the morning of May 30, 2026, at the Hai Phong Children and Youth Cultural Palace (No. 45 Lach Tray, Gia Vien Ward), the Standing Committee of the Hai Phong Youth Union, the Vietnam Youth Federation of the city, and the Vietnamese Students' Association of the city closely cooperated with the Hai Phong Children and Youth Cultural Palace to inaugurate the programs “Gen Z Journey with Career Future” and “Hai Phong Youth Culinary Culture Festival 2026”. These are the first activities under the community event series “Hai Phong - Lighting Up Dreams 2026”.
The event is a practical project to welcome the success of the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front for the 2026 - 2031 tenure; the 1st Congress of the Vietnam Youth Federation of Hai Phong City for the 2026 - 2029 tenure; and the 1st Congress of the Vietnamese Students' Association of Hai Phong City for the 2026 - 2028 tenure.
Attending and delivering opening remarks at the program was Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy - Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the city and Secretary of the Hai Phong Youth Union; along with representatives from leadership of various departments, agencies, organizations, and localities; universities, colleges, vocational schools, and high schools; enterprises, training institutions, recruitment units, and a large number of youth union members, young people, pupils, and students in the area.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy emphasized:
“The series of activities is organized to create a space for Youth Union members, young people, school and university students, and children in the city to connect, gain experiences, explore career paths, participate in cultural and artistic exchanges, play sports, and volunteer; while also helping support young people in education, careers, employment, entrepreneurship, and integration.”
As part of the program, the "Gen Z Journey to Future Careers" offered career guidance, job introductions, CV counseling, mock interviews, and interactive talk shows. A standout feature this year was the clear direction provided by experts to students regarding green economy trends.
Alongside the tech sector, the start-up trend rooted in clean agriculture, high-tech applications, and sustainable development from local resources is becoming a powerful magnet for the younger generation. Many Gen Z youths have voiced their aspiration to return and build up their hometowns through smart agricultural economic models.
A feast for the eyes: agricultural spaces and vibrant youth food stalls steeped in cultural identity
Immediately following the ribbon-cutting opening ceremony, all attention from delegates and thousands of visitors turned to the space of the "Hai Phong Youth Culinary Culture Festival 2026". This was regarded as the heart of the activity series, where the values of agriculture, clean agricultural produce, and youthful creative thinking merged into one.
The festival features dozens of creatively designed booths that reflect a rustic country charm while remaining modern and dynamic. The exhibition area is divided into specialized zones: clean agricultural products, certified OCOP products, youth-led innovative start-ups, and an experiential on-site food court.
The highlight that defined the core value of the festival was the abundant presence of safe, high-quality local agricultural 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 strict standards without harmful stimulants, ensuring food safety and environmental friendliness. Circular agriculture models, short supply chains, and low-carbon initiatives were also engagingly introduced directly to visitors by young startup teams.
The OCOP booths occupied a prominent position at the center of the festival, affirming 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 reflected the boundless dedication and creativity of the youth.
Not stopping at raw displays, the food stalls skillfully transformed these clean agricultural ingredients into unique dishes and drinks featuring the distinct characteristics of Hai Phong street food culture. The bustle of buyers and sellers, laughter, and fragrant aromas from the on-site kitchens created a vivid culinary festival picture, effectively promoting the image of a dynamic, friendly, and culturally rich Hai Phong.
To encourage and recognize these positive contributions, the organizing committee formally presented certificates to partners, sponsors, and the establishments and organizations participating with booths. This was both an expression of gratitude and encouragement for green businesses and cooperatives to continue supporting young people on the path toward sustainable agricultural economic development.
Reflective moments at the “Sounds of Healing” concert and charitable community activities
The series of events continued with tremendous excitement on the evening of May 30 at the Youth Cultural Palace Square in Hai Phong City with the art program “Hai Phong - Lighting Up Dreams 2026”, themed “Healing Sounds”.
Prior to the official opening ceremony, starting from 18:30, the square was filled with vibrant energy with warm-up performances by children's clubs. The audience repeatedly applauded the dynamic dance "Soda Pop" by the Suncrew Mini group, the playful performance of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" by Shinning Kids, and the graceful ballet by the CoCo Kitty Club. In particular, the dance performance "Ho vuon minh" presented by child artist 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 homeland's seas and islands.
At 19:00, the program officially burst into life with an opening belly dance performance by two talented young media ambassadors, Nguyen Kim Khanh Ha (Little Miss Tourism Universe 2025, Junior Belly Dance Champion 2025) and Nguyen Kim Nhu Ngoc, followed by the modern dance performance "Our Hai Phong" by Suncrew.
Beyond its artistic value, the musical night carried profound humanitarian meaning through the charity program to support children's dreams. The organizing committee, along with diamond sponsor DOJI Vietnam Joint Stock Company, presented charitable gifts to 25 disadvantaged children across the city. Each child received 2,000,000 VND in cash along with in-kind gifts including school supplies, toys, and essential necessities from partner units and benefactors. The moment these gifts were handed out, accompanied by fireworks and dazzling stage effects, instilled in the audience deeply touching emotions about the spirit of sharing.
Shortly after, the audience immersed themselves in the warm musical atmosphere of 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 gave substance to the vision of developing Hai Phong into a "City of Music", where art is intertwined with humanistic values and community connections.
Spreading the spirit of green living and social responsibility on a radiant summer day
The series of activities concluded seamlessly on May 31, 2026, with the "Little Run - Run for Future" community run in the morning and the "Brilliant Summer" closing art performance in the evening.
The running event attracted hundreds of young athletes and parents participating in community run distances around Lach Tray lake and main roads. This sporting activity not only provided a playground for physical exercise and improved health for children before entering summer vacation, but also strongly spread the message of a green lifestyle and environmental protection—a mindset closely aligned with the principles of sustainable ecological agriculture.
Close coordination between levels of the Youth Union, Student Association, and the Hai Phong Children and Youth Cultural Palace created a series of events that succeeded beyond expectations. From career guidance spaces and displays of high-quality agricultural and culinary stalls to an emotional charity music night, it all formed a comprehensive platform. This series of activities went beyond mere entertainment, genuinely spreading a spirit of compassion, promoting green entrepreneurship mindsets, and affirming the strong, socially responsible aspirations of today's young generation in Hai Phong.
Source: VOAA
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