14th National Party Congress: Young people believe in the Party's strategic decisions
WVR - Bringing the peace-aspiring land of Quang Tri to global forums, young scholar Dao Manh Nghia shares his views on the 14th National Party Congress and his journey to contribute to marking the intelligence and courage of Vietnamese youth on the world intellectual map.
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| Mr. Dao Manh Nghia greets former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the Doha Forum 2025. |
In an interview with World & Vietnam newspaper, Dao Manh Nghia, an Erasmus Mundus scholar and member of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY), expressed his impressive perspective on the rise and increasingly clear progress of Vietnamese youth on the global intellectual map.
Can you share your journey as a young scholar attending global forums?
I was born and raised in the heroic land of Quang Tri, once a "bomb pocket" of war but now rising strongly with aspirations for peace. My journey was not a bed of roses.
| Dao Manh Nghia * Master's student in International Law on Global Security, Peace, and Development (ILGSPD) in the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands. * Founder of the DMN Initiative – a program for young people focusing on promoting the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, expanding into topics of Vietnamese law, international law, peace, security, and diplomacy; an "ambassador" for many other international organizations and programs. |
Starting as a law student in Ho Chi Minh City in 2015, I carried the concerns of a young person always eager to find answers for peace and justice.
However, the turning point that truly "awakened" me was at the end of 2019. I had the honour of representing Vietnam at the ASEAN CIMB Young Leaders Program (CYAL) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was my first time "going abroad". The initial overwhelming and bewildering feelings quickly gave way to a thirst for learning. There, I worked with the region's most outstanding young leaders, debated environmental justice, visited Malaysia's sustainable agri-industrial models, and immersed myself in ASEAN's cultural diversity.
After that trip, I was fueled with a burning passion but also full of questions: "Why are international young people so confident and vocal? Why are talented Vietnamese youth absent from these forums?".
That very question urged me to act. I realized my mission was not just to learn for myself but to be a trailblazer. From that notion, the DMN Initiative transformed from a small advocacy project into a large-scale organization with the SDGs Council and DMN Foundation today, empowering, financially supporting, and training Vietnamese youth for integration. That trip to Malaysia was the "starting gun" that helped me break the barrier of self-doubt, and subsequently confidently conquer numerous forums in South Korea, the UK, the US, France, Japan, Switzerland, Qatar... bringing Vietnamese intelligence and courage to friends worldwide.
As the sole Vietnamese delegate at the Doha Forum 2025, Geneva Peace Week 2025, and several other international forums, what does it mean to you when the words "Vietnam" are announced or placed on the agenda?
It is a sacred feeling, a blend of intense national pride and the responsibility of a global citizen.
The Doha Forum 2025 is not just a simple conference but a "miniature political stage" of the world, with over 6,000 delegates attending.
Being present there, I had the rare opportunity to meet directly with international politicians like former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas.
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| Participating in the UN Graduate Study Programme (GSP) in Geneva, Switzerland, July 2025. |
Especially, I directly attended thematic discussions of internationally influential figures like billionaire Bill Gates, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, or US President Donald Trump, along with many heads of state, foreign ministers, and other leaders.
Listening to them share their visions on technology, geopolitics, and the future of the world, I realized even more: Vietnam cannot stand outside this flow.
Particularly, when entrusted with the responsibility of Co-chairing the roundtable on geopolitics at the Youth session of the Forum, and when the nameplate with the words "Vietnam" was placed prominently on the agenda, I felt the rising position of our country.
In the eyes of international friends, Vietnam is a symbol of reconciliation, a peace-loving nation, active in multilateral cooperation, and steadfast with a flexible, resilient diplomatic approach.
At this year's Forum, with the theme "Justice in Action: Beyond Promises of Progress", I did not hesitate to voice the concerns of Vietnamese youth and those from developing countries.
In your opinion, what is the "key" that helps a young Vietnamese scholar convince demanding international organizations like the UN, EU, OECD, or Qatar Foundation?
To conquer the UN, EU, OECD, or Qatar Foundation, I believe the key lies in the synergy between "Vietnamese identity" and "practical action".
Firstly, Vietnam's identity and position are significant diplomatic advantages. We are a nation loved by international friends for our sincerity, responsibility, and heroic history. When I introduce myself as coming from Vietnam, I receive respect and goodwill from the start.
Secondly, more importantly, today's international organizations value impact makers. My colleagues and I convinced them through what we have achieved with the DMN Initiative. We don't just talk about peace or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in theory; we dive into reality to fundraise, organize peace camps, and promote the rule of law mindset among youth. These concrete actions align perfectly with the mission of international organizations.
I always work with the mindset: Dedicated, professional, and transparent. When they see a young Vietnamese not only with aspirations but also the capability to implement projects that benefit the community, they are willing to give us opportunities to participate in international agendas. Sincerity and persistent commitment to action are the most persuasive languages, transcending all borders.
As the President of many youth initiatives and forums in the region and internationally, how do you assess the diplomatic capabilities of Vietnamese youth compared to their international peers?
Looking back over the past five years, I am truly impressed by the strong transformation of the young Vietnamese generation. We are witnessing the rise of a generation of "global citizens" right in Vietnam.
Especially in major cities, young people are not only proficient in foreign languages but also possess sharp critical thinking, excellent leadership skills, and incredible proactivity.
They don't passively wait for opportunities but confidently "hunt" for scholarships or tickets to international forums to assert themselves. At many forums I attend, Vietnamese delegates are always among the most prominent and dynamic.
However, the picture still has uneven shades. I am still very concerned about the disparity in opportunities between regions.
In rural areas, remote regions like my beloved hometown Quang Tri, the potential of young people is limitless. They have abundant resilience and hard-working spirit but lack information and access to international environments. The barrier does not lie in capability but in opportunity.
That's why the DMN Initiative remains steadfast in its mission to empower and connect. We want to bring international opportunities to challenging areas to awaken the potential of those "rough diamonds". I believe that if equipped with enough tools and information, Vietnamese youth anywhere, whether in bustling cities or sunny rural areas, can confidently stand alongside and even lead international peers.
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| Dao Manh Nghia (last row, second from left) with young delegates at the Doha Forum 2025. |
Are there any challenges in your journey "bringing the bell to ring in foreign lands" that you haven't shared before? What advice do you have for young Vietnamese aspiring to become "global citizens"?
My journey of "bringing the bell to ring in foreign lands" involved many sacrifices in terms of time, money, and health.
The biggest pressure was probably balancing. Studying a rigorous Master's program in Law across three European countries meant I had to constantly move, adapting to new living and academic environments every six months. Meanwhile, I had to remotely manage a non-governmental organization and prepare content for international conferences. There were sleepless nights to finish essays to meet school deadlines, then hurriedly attend online meetings with colleagues in Vietnam due to time zone differences, leaving me truly exhausted. Additionally, integrating into a multi-cultural environment, facing disagreements or initial doubts about my capabilities were significant psychological challenges.
But these pressures forged the resilience I have today. My advice to young people is: Be proactive and don't be afraid. Don't fear communication, mistakes, or not being good enough. Actively seek opportunities, no matter how small. Believe in your value and continuously improve. Once you dare to step out of your comfort zone, dare to try an international program for the first time, a domino effect will occur. The confidence and experience from that first time will open the second, third... and forever. Glory is reserved for those who dare to challenge their limits. Proactivity will help you reach closer to the laurel wreath of victory.
As a young Vietnamese studying and working abroad, what thoughts and expectations do you have for the 14th National Party Congress taking place from January 19-25?
The upcoming 14th National Party Congress is a historic event, a place where the intelligence and aspirations of the entire nation converge to lead the country into a new era of strong growth. Aiming for the 2030 goal – the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding, and the 2045 vision – the 100th anniversary of the country's founding, I place full trust and expectations in the Party's strategic decisions.
As a young intellectual studying and working abroad, I hope the Congress will further define the "core" role of youth in the nation's development. I expect breakthrough mechanisms in attracting and utilizing talents:
Firstly, there should be more open policies to welcome the "brain gain" flow, attracting overseas Vietnamese intellectuals to return and contribute.
Secondly, boldly rejuvenate the cadre team, confidently entrusting responsibilities to young people with capabilities and courage to participate in leadership and elected bodies.
Thirdly, I hope the Central Youth Union will receive stronger resource investment to become a "launchpad" for Vietnamese youth to participate extensively in international agendas.
Only when entrusted with trust, opportunities, and mechanisms, can our young generation fully unleash their intrinsic strength, dedicating themselves to realizing the aspiration to bring Vietnam "shoulder to shoulder with the world's great powers" as Uncle Ho always wished.
Thank you very much!
