On the evening of December 27, the 2025 Commendation Ceremony for Outstanding Ethnic Minority Students and Youth took place at Ho Guom Theater in Hanoi. The event was broadcast live on VTV5, honoring 150 exemplary delegates from 53 ethnic groups across the country.

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At 9:20 p.m., the awarding of certificates to the outstanding ethnic minority students and youth officially concluded. Over the past 12 editions, the Commendation Ceremony has celebrated thousands of exemplary students and young individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds - those who have tirelessly strived to grow, to build their lives and careers, and have achieved proud successes across various fields.

The Organizing Committee extends its heartfelt gratitude to educators, parents, families, and all those who have stood by and empowered the younger generation of ethnic minorities on their journey to pursue their dreams. Your love and support are the solid foundation upon which these young people draw strength and confidence as they move forward.

To the students and young people being honored today - your personal achievements in learning and self-development have brought you to this proud moment in the heart of Hanoi, where you stand in the warm embrace of the Party and State leaders, central and local agencies, your families, and your communities. This moment is a lifelong honor.

May you always live up to this love and support. Do not settle for early successes - keep pushing through challenges and hardships. With courage, resilience, and youthful strength, the Organizing Committee believes you will overcome all obstacles to conquer new heights, and forever remain a source of pride for your families, your hometowns, and your people.

Those on stage represented the bright lights of their communities-young people who, through perseverance and creativity, have become symbols of aspiration and progress for ethnic minority youth nationwide.

Their achievements are not only sources of pride for their families and schools but also powerful inspiration for others to rise and contribute to the nation’s development.

The program’s “Reaching Far with Dreams” segment featured three inspiring stories:

Tran Vy Tra, a Tay ethnic student honored in 2020, who graduated as valedictorian of the Foreign Trade University entrance exam.

Sung A Tua, a Mong youth and member of the Presidium of the Vietnam Youth Federation, who shared his journey of applying digital transformation to local economic development projects.

Sin Duc Manh, a Pà Thẻn student-one of Vietnam’s smallest ethnic groups-spoke about his belief in the power of learning and his desire to contribute to his people’s progress.

Together, the three generations symbolically lit the torch of knowledge and determination, embodying the spirit of Vietnam’s ethnic minority youth-resilient, ambitious, and full of dreams.

At 8:40 p.m., Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh and Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung presented certificates of merit to the honorees.

In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh praised their achievements and urged them to continue striving for excellence, saying the ceremony reflects the State’s unwavering commitment to nurturing talent among ethnic minorities.

Earlier, Deputy Minister Y Thong had opened the ceremony with remarks emphasizing that the event is not only a celebration of achievement but also a reaffirmation of the Party and State’s long-term care for ethnic minority youth-the future leaders of mountainous and remote regions.

He highlighted the Party’s consistent policies for ethnic communities, including Resolution No. 71 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training, tuition exemptions, and learning support programs that have transformed the lives of thousands of ethnic students.

The event began at 8:00 p.m. with a vibrant art performance titled Where Dreams Converge.

Attending the ceremony were key leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung, National Assembly Ethnic Council Chairman Lam Van Man, Nhan Dan Editor-in-Chief Le Quoc Minh, Political Commissar Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister Y Thong, and Deputy Minister Le Quan, alongside representatives of central ministries, agencies, and youth organizations.

At 7:00 p.m., 150 honorees gathered at Ho Guom Theater, joined by 170 students from the Vietnam Northern Highlands Boarding School and the Central Preparatory University for Ethnic Minorities.

Among them, Lo Chinh Huong, a Bo Y student and first-year cadet at the Border Guard Academy, shared: “We are very happy, honored, and proud. This event motivates us to strive harder and serve our country.”

He expressed gratitude to the Party, State, and Government for their support and vowed to work hard toward becoming a Border Guard officer.

Similarly, Lo Thi Kieu Vy, an 11th-grade student from Lai Chau’s Ethnic Boarding High School and the only Kháng representative this year, spoke of her dream to become a kindergarten teacher and return to teach in her hometown.

“I come from Nam Cuoi commune, where schools still lack teachers. This ceremony inspires me to study harder and make that dream come true,” she said.

The 2025 commendation marked the 12th year of this annual event, which has so far honored over 2,000 outstanding ethnic minority students and youth nationwide.

Through its thoughtful preparation and heartfelt execution, the ceremony serves as a meaningful meeting place to recognize and nurture young ethnic talents.

Earlier, on December 26, General Secretary To Lam met the delegation of 150 honorees at the Party Central Office. He commended their perseverance and academic excellence, reaffirming the Party’s strong commitment to developing human resources in ethnic and mountainous areas.

That afternoon, the students also participated in a forum titled “Digital Stories from the Villages,” exchanging ideas on how digital transformation can benefit their communities.

On the morning of December 27, the delegation offered flowers and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square, before visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the Temple of Literature, where they signed the Golden Book of Honor.

These activities deepened their sense of pride and responsibility, reinforcing their motivation to study, innovate, and serve their homeland.

Thanh Hung - Thuy Nga - N. Huyen - Hoang Linh - Thach Thao - The Bang