Among prominent leaders at the congress were Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Dai Quang, former President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former NA Chairmen Nguyen Van An, and Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Other former Party and State leaders, heroic mothers, labour heroes, and 1,000 outstanding delegates representing more than 6.4 million youth union members and nearly 24 million young Vietnamese people were also in attendance.

In his speech, Party leader Trong praised young generation for having upheld the patriotic spirit, overcome every difficulty and stayed ready to sacrifice their lives for the cause of national construction and defence during the period of national history.

He pointed out difficulties and challenges facing Vietnamese youth in the complicated and unpredictable situation of the regional and world situation and expressed his belief that with the great zeal, dynamics and creativity, Vietnamese youth have been demonstrating their role as the pillars and future masters of the nation.

They have served as the pioneer force in the process of national construction and defence, one of the factors determining the success of the cause of national industrialization and modernization, international integration and socialist construction.

“However, due to lack of life experience, young people are also often induced or provoked by hostile forces to become involved in "peaceful evolution" conspiracies aiming to undermine our revolutionary cause,” The Party chief noted.

Regarding orientations and tasks in the time to come, Trong underlined the need for youth union members to strengthen education about revolutionary ideals, political firmness, morality and cultural lifestyle for the younger generation.

This is an urgent, strategic and long-term task, requiring due attention and proper investment. In order to perform well this uphill task, the Youth Union must constantly renew itself and improve the effectiveness of education and youth movements and work out effective progammes of action so as to enhance the pioneer role and creative power of youth in protecting their legitimate rights and interests, he said.

The Party General Secretary highlighted the 11th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union as a significant landmark in the development process of youth movements.

He said he hopes that Vietnamese youth, with their high spirit, bravery, unity and creativity, will join efforts with the whole Party, army and people to firmly defend and promote revolutionary achievements towards building Vietnam into a strong and prosperous nation.