Luong Thanh Nghi, Deputy Head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, addresses the closing ceremony of the 2019 Summer Camp in Ninh Thuan province on July 24, 2019. (Photo: Lan Phuong/VOV)

At the closing ceremony in Ninh Thuan province on Wednesday, Luong Thanh Nghi, Deputy Head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said: “The Summer Camp 2019 attracted 155 young overseas Vietnamese from 29 countries and territories. The 2-week event took them to 10 localities from the north to the central coastal area to better understand life in Vietnam and its people. I believe exchanges with young people living in Vietnam left young Overseas Vietnamese with nice memories.”

Young campers present 28 bicycles to poor pupils with high academic results. (Photo: Lan Phuong/VOV)

Campers visited numerous scenic spots and learned about Vietnam’s history and culture in different regions. They raised nearly 11,000 USD for 14 heroic Vietnamese mothers, 30 families of former young volunteers, and orphans, bought bicycles for 28 poor students with high academic results, and helped build a charitable house for a poor family in Ninh Thuan province.

Young campers and Ninh Thuan's youth cheer at the closing ceremony (Photo: Lan Phuong/VOV)

Bui Hoang Thang from Canada said: “Organizers have offered us as best trip as they can. I’m so grateful for this summer camp and will forever remember this great opportunity. I hope more young expatriates will attend similar camps to meet with their peers in Vietnam and from all over the world and know more about Vietnam’s unique culture.”

Quach Hong Nga from Germany said this year’s summer camp will be etched indelibly in her memory. “Two weeks are gone in just the blink of an eye. It’s unbelievable that we have finished the camp that fast. We are happy for the great time we’ve got during the camp and, at the same time, sad for saying goodbye”, Nga shared her thought.

Kim Hong from Cambodia considered the summer camp a great chance to experience the authentic Vietnamese life. “I’ve never visited as many Vietnamese localities as I did in this trip. What I love most about it is visiting museums to learn Vietnamese history and having a lot of new friends”, Hong said.

It's time to say goodbye (Photo: Lan Phuong/VOV)

The Summer Camp 2019 concluded with art performances by campers and young people of Ninh Thuan province.