The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (, Đoàn TNCS), simply recognized as the Union (), is the largest socio-political organisation of Vietnamese youth. The union is under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The organization was founded on 26 March 1931, and was led and trained by Ho Chi Minh.
The Union is considered by the Communist Party of Vietnam to be the training ground for future cadres, and the "extended arm" of the state.
Legal basis The Communist Youth Union is a member organization of the national common front called the Vietnamese Fatherland Front (the successor of the Viet Minh). The Union is cemented in Article 9 of the Constitution of Vietnam as a social-political organization established "on a voluntary basis to represent and protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of its members; and, together with other member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, coordinate and unify action within the Front."
The Union's charter, approved by its 12th National Congress on 15 December 2022, states:
Charter The Charter is the basic legal document of the Union, defining principles of organization, operation, and structure; regulating the responsibilities, obligations, and powers of members at all levels.
The purpose this Charter is to unify the ideological and organizational action of the entire Youth Union. The current Charter of the 12th Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union has 13 chapters and 42 articles:
Chapter I: Youth Union members Chapter II: Principles, organizational structure and activities Chapter III: Central-level leadership bodies Chapter IV: Provincial and district-level leadership bodies Chapter V: Grassroots Youth Union organizations Chapter VI: Block Youth Unions, Industry Youth Unions, and Youth Unions abroad Chapter VII: Youth Union organizations in the Vietnam People's Army and the Vietnam People's Public Security Chapter VIII: Inspection, supervision and Inspection Committees at all levels Chapter IX: Rewards and discipline Chapter X: The Union and youth associations Chapter XI: The Union leading the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers Chapter XII: Finance Chapter XIII: Compliance with the Union Charter
Names During the Union's existence, it has seen its name changed six times to suit the tasks and requirements of youth movements in each revolutionary period: 26 March 1931 – 1936 : Indochina Communist Youth Union (ICYU)(Đoàn Thanh niên Cộng sản Đông Dương) 1936 – November 1939: Indochina Democratic Youth Union (IDYU)(Đoàn Thanh niên Dân chủ Đông Dương) November 1939 – May 1941: Indochina Anti-Imperialist Youth Union (IAYU)(Đoàn Thanh niên Phản đế Đông Dương) May 1941 – 25 October 1956: Vietnam National Salvation Youth Union (VNSYU) (Đoàn Thanh niên Cứu quốc Việt Nam) 25 October 1956 – February 1970: Vietnam Labour Youth Union （VLYU） (Đoàn Thanh niên Lao động Việt Nam) February 1970 – November 1976: Ho Chi Minh Labour Youth Union (HCMLYU) (Đoàn Thanh niên Lao động Hồ Chí Minh) December 1976 – now: Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) (Đoàn Thanh niên Cộng sản Hồ Chí Minh)
Anthem The Youth Union's anthem is Thanh niên làm theo lời Bác ("The Youth follows Uncle Ho's sayings"):
References
External links Official site of the Union