In the final days of May and early June, beside the stream connecting Púng Trạng village with neighboring villages in Mường Tùng commune, the sound of concrete mixers blended with calls to transport construction materials from early morning. Under the early summer sun, more than 30 youth union members, together with commune officials, police officers, and local residents, worked urgently to construct a community bridge. At the construction site, the blue volunteer shirts stood out against the gray colors of sand, stone, and concrete. Beads of sweat rolled down their faces, yet no one took a break, as everyone hoped to complete the bridge soon and make travel easier for local residents.

For many years, whenever the rainy and flood season arrived, the stream would isolate villages, making travel difficult and posing significant risks to residents. Therefore, the bridge under construction is not merely a transportation project but also a long-awaited dream of the local people.

Leaving Mường Tùng, the journey of the blue volunteer shirts continued across the golden rice fields of Cang village, Nà Tấu commune. Under the scorching heat, 15 police officers, soldiers, and youth union members of the commune police force arrived early in the morning to help residents harvest rice. Sickles swiftly cut through clusters of golden rice, while shoulders burdened with heavy loads of harvested rice moved continuously from the fields to the embankments, creating a beautiful scene of labor amid the abundant harvest season.

During the campaign, the youth force assisted the families of Lò Văn Tiến and  Lò Văn Dũng in harvesting approximately 4,000 square meters of rice that had reached peak ripeness. Bundles of rice were gradually transported to the field edges, while sacks of grain were quickly brought to drying yards, helping residents complete the harvest before unexpected weather changes could occur.

Lò Văn Tiến emotionally shared: “My family has a fairly large rice-growing area, but at this time labor is limited while the rice ripens all at once, so we were very worried. Receiving assistance from the officers, soldiers, and youth union members makes us extremely happy. The young people work enthusiastically and responsibly, helping us reduce a great deal of hardship.”

In early June, prolonged heavy rains increased the risk of landslides in several areas of Nậm Nèn commune. From June 6 to June 10, the Youth Union of Nậm Nèn commune mobilized more than 85 volunteer participants to assist five households in Nậm Cút village and Nậm Nèn 1 village in dismantling houses located within dangerous zones.

At locations threatened by landslides, youth union members divided into groups to transport belongings, dismantle roofs, and help families move their possessions. Despite the combination of intense heat and sudden rain showers, the young volunteers worked tirelessly from morning until evening.

Among the households receiving support was the family of Lò Thị Hòa from Nậm Cút village, who faces particularly difficult circumstances. Classified as a poor household, she and her two children rely on farming for their livelihood. After her husband died in an accident, all the burdens of life fell upon her shoulders. When her house was identified as being in a landslide-prone area and had to be dismantled, she had little idea how to cope.

Upon receiving the information, youth union members quickly arrived to help the family move belongings, dismantle the house, and transport building materials to a safe location. Wiping away tears, Hòa emotionally shared: “My family is facing many difficulties. Raising two young children on my own, I was truly worried when I had to dismantle my house. Thanks to the help of the youth union members and other supporting forces, the work was completed much faster.”

Meaningful activities also continued in Thanh Yên commune during the opening days of the 2026 Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign. From early morning, more than 70 youth union members gathered along inter-village roads, carrying hoes, shovels, machetes, brooms, and other work tools. The blue shirts stretched across the countryside roads, creating a vibrant scene full of youthful energy.

Groups of young volunteers divided tasks among themselves, collecting waste, clearing bushes, trimming weeds, and caring for flower-lined roads. Road sections once obscured by overgrown vegetation gradually became cleaner and more open. Flower beds were carefully cultivated, and rows of trees received regular care, becoming greener each day.

Participating in the activity, youth union member Phạm Thị Thùy said: “Every volunteer activity brings us meaningful experiences. Contributing to the beautification of our hometown helps me better understand the responsibility of young people toward the community. Although the work is demanding, seeing the roads become cleaner and more beautiful makes us feel very happy and proud.”

This year’s Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign runs from May through the end of August, focusing on grassroots communities, especially remote areas and 15 border communes. Tens of thousands of youth union members are expected to participate in social welfare activities, environmental protection, community digital transformation, and support programs for children, young people, and disadvantaged residents. Every project and activity aims to deliver practical and effective results while creating sustainable value for the community.

According to Mùa Chiến Thắng, Secretary of the Điện Biên provincial Youth Union, the greatest value of the campaign does not lie in the number of projects completed or tasks carried out, but in the positive values spread throughout the community. When young people bring their energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to the most difficult places, they are also learning how to live more responsibly toward their hometown and country.

The summer season is still ongoing. Across highland villages, golden rice fields, and roads that are changing day by day, the blue volunteer shirts continue to be present through simple yet meaningful actions. It is a season of dedication, a season of sharing, and also a season in which the youth of Điện Biên mature through their journey of serving the community.