President Obama's Message to Vietnamese Youth

During his visit and work in Vietnam this time, US President Barack Obama spent a lot of time interacting with young people.

During a meeting with young Southeast Asian leaders this morning, May 25, in Ho Chi Minh City, through answering questions from young people, US President Obama had many messages for the future generation.

Young people must protect a healthy world

Climate change and environmental pollution have been mentioned many times by President Obama.

According to him, the industrialization of Western countries has created a lot of waste in the environment. If all countries do the same, the earth will heat up too quickly.

President Obama interacts with members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) in Ho Chi Minh City this morning. Photo: Reuters

He found it valuable that the current young generation is very concerned about the environment. He strongly supported and sent a message that we should not only preserve the country's beautiful landscapes, but also protect the environment where we live every day, to protect a happy and healthy world.

Use social media to learn

President Obama said that Vietnam has about more than 3 million people using the social network Facebook.

Young people often use social networks to post pictures, statuses, and things they are interested in and enjoy (he mentioned Son Tung MTP).

Young people ask questions to President Obama.

The most important thing is that social networks can provide a tool for young people to learn, exchange views, and help each other progress.

That will help them manage their own abilities and find support tools. Social networks and technology will help young people connect and support each other better than ever.

Art will create empathy

Art is a very important element in our lives. Music, poetry,... all these help to inspire people.

Modern life always contains many very practical things, such as food, clothing, money, work, social relationships... one of the most important things that art brings is to teach you how to live, that you should not only think about yourself.

Art helps people understand each other’s thoughts and feelings. From there, everyone can recognize whether the people around us are happy, sad or worried… To finally know that we, no matter who we are, all have many similarities.

Knowing how to correct mistakes is great.

Referring to the issue of human rights, President Obama admitted that America is still "reminded" of some issues such as racism.

However, it is thanks to those reminders, thanks to the courage to recognize one's own strengths and weaknesses in order to overcome and correct them, that America has achieved what it has today.

One great thing that America has done is to recognize its mistakes and correct them. That is a great thing.

To be a great person

Young people excitedly listened to the US president speak.

The US President admitted that when he was young, he did not have a formal education like the younger generation today. He was also very playful, not hard-working, liked playing basketball and chasing girls.

“You guys are doing better now than I was at that time,” he said.

Some people think that to be a leader you have to make great speeches, but many great leaders are people who do the work quietly.

According to President Obama, the most important thing for a person is to find something that you care deeply about, that makes you passionately excited and put all your energy into it.

Because everyone will be passionate about different things and there are many ways to become the person you want to be.

Love for work is indispensable

Young people, don't worry too much about what you will become. Do anything but have passion.

If you are passionate about your work, over time, people will naturally admire and respect you for what you do.

Many people are very successful in their efforts but there are people who simply love their work truly.

For example, when Bill Gates started Mircosoft, he never thought he would become a billionaire. He just loved computers and wanted to find useful computer software.

I am president because I care about my community, the poor, and I want to find ways to improve their lives.

You too, find what you love and put your energy into it. If you do well, you will naturally become a leader and have the opportunity to learn many great things in the future.

According to PLO