With noble ideals and a thirst for devotion to the nation, whether in wartime or peace, generations of young Vietnamese people have overcome difficulties, staying ready to dedicate their youth to the country.
During the most challenging moments of the resistance against American imperialism, the youth volunteer force served as a vibrant flame, igniting the spirit of dedication and resistance across all social strata, and making significant contributions to the nation’s ultimate victory.
All for Frontline
In 1954, the resistance war against French forces ended successfully, yet the country remained divided. Vietnamese people simultaneously undertook two strategic tasks: building socialism in the North and conducting a national democratic revolution in the South, aiming for the goal of national reunification.
Vibrant, strong revolutionary patriotic movements spread to young people across the northern provinces. (Photo: VNA)
From 1964, American imperialists expanded aggression in Vietnam, conducting “localised warfare” in the South and escalating attacks on the North, stirring up the spirit of resistance throughout the country. Aware of their historical mission and the responsibilities, the youth engaged in revolutionary movements which spread strongly across northern provinces.
In response to the urgent requirements of the struggle, on June 21, 1965, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 71/TTg-CN regarding the establishment of “Youth Volunteer Groups for the Resistance against American Imperialism and National Salvation” which was tasked with ensuring transportation on vital routes.
During the 1965-1975 period, nearly 290,000 young people joined the force, performing various tasks such as building roads, transporting food and weapons to the Southern battlefield, doing forestry work, loading vessels at warehouses and docks, and providing medical aid.
The youth volunteer force in the North opened 102 strategic roads with a total length of 4,130 km. They also transported over 100,000 tonnes of weapons, ammunition, and food; filled tens of thousands of bomb craters, and dismantled over 10,000 bombs of all types.
Their major movements such as the “Three Readinesses” and “Five Volunteerisms” emerged as powerful emblems of patriotic fervour, igniting a widespread spirit of dedication throughout all strata of society.
“Three Readinesses” and youth’s aspirations in the North
In 1964, Hanoi National University of Education launched the three-action movement: “Go anywhere the Fatherland needs; Do any work required by the Party and the people; Accept any form of remuneration.”
On August 9, 1964, the standing board of the Hanoi youth union decided to rename the university’s movement and launch the “Three Readinesses” movement among all the youth of the capital. The movement ignited voluntary commitment among the youth, especially students in the North, with three major components:
1
Ready to fight, to fight bravely, and to enlist, whether in regular troops, local forces, or militia.
2
Ready to overcome any difficulties, to boost production, work, and study in any situation.
3
Ready to go anywhere, do anything when the Fatherland needs.
The movement sparked a wave of young volunteers heading to the frontlines. The statistics cannot fully capture the sacrifices and enthusiasm of a generation. Within a month, over 1.5 million young people registered; nearly 90% of university students in Hanoi submitted applications to leave their classrooms for the battlefield. From 1965 to 1972, about 30,000 students, lecturers, and staff from over 30 universities and colleges in the North directly joined military units. Their baggage into the life-and-death battlefield included not only weapons but also dreams and aspirations of youth, along with hopes and beliefs in future freedom for their homeland.
“Three Readinesses” became one of the largest revolutionary action movements of Vietnamese youth in the 20th century. (Photo: VNA broadcasts)
On September 6, 1971, the largest mobilisation ceremony took place at many university campuses. The image of thousands of young boys and girls from Hanoi reciting the three pledges, and the commitment to “sharing the burden with the beloved South,” and setting out to save the country became an indelible mark, contributing to a glorious and heroic chapter in the history of Vietnamese youth during the resistance.
More than 5 million young people participated in the “Three Readinesses” movement, with a significant portion being girls. (Photo: VNA)
The “Three Readinesses” became one of the largest revolutionary action movements of Vietnamese youth in the 20th century, creating the largest volunteer force in the history of the nation’s resistance against foreign invaders. More than 5 million youth participated in the movement, with young girls making up the majority. Nearly 1.5 million of them died with the flame of dedication still burning in their hearts, and tens of thousands left their blood and parts of their bodies on the fierce battlefields. The epic tale of a dedicated generation, written with courage and sacrifice, will forever resonate in the flow of the nation’s history.
“Five Volunteerisms” attracts thousands of youth in the South
Alongside the “Three Readinesses” movement in the North, the “Five Volunteerisms” movement in the South created tremendous strength, encouraging and mobilising young people to overcome difficulties and hardships, determined to liberate the South and reunify the country.
The “Five Volunteerisms” movement was launched in March 1965 with five components:
1
Volunteer to eliminate as many enemy forces as possible;
2
Volunteer to enlist and participate in guerrilla warfare;
3
Volunteer to serve as frontline labourers and youth volunteers at the front;
4
Volunteer to engage in political struggle and resist conscription;
5
Volunteer to produce agriculture in agricultural cooperatives.
The movement has grew stronger, becoming a call to thousands of Southern youth to overcome all difficulties to fight and win. The emulation movement to achieve the titles of “victory warrior” and “warrior for destroying vehicles and shooting down aircraft” also attracted a large number of youth in various areas, leading to the establishment of many youth combat groups.
From 1966, the “Five Volunteerisms” movement took a new step, playing an essential role in undermining the “search and destroy” and “pacification” plans of the US-puppet regime during the dry season of 1966 – 1967.
The movement became an integral part of the revolutionary life of Southern youth, taking on diverse and flexible forms such as resisting conscription, spreading revolutionary messages among the people, volunteering to support the frontlines, joining guerrilla forces, serving in battlefield operations, and expanding the struggle within urban areas.
The movements awakened and maximised the pioneering spirit of youth across both North and South Vietnam, giving rise to extraordinary feats. The young volunteers played a vital role in the overall victory of the resistance war against American imperialism, contributing to the complete liberation of the South as well as national unity, independence, and freedom today./.
