The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, also known as the “Thanh Nien” in Vietnamese, was established to engage the younger generation in the revolutionary struggle for Vietnam’s independence from French colonial rule. The foundational meeting that led to the formation of this organization took place in a context marked by widespread dissatisfaction with colonial policies, economic deprivation, and burgeoning nationalist sentiments. The youth union was seen as a crucial vehicle for disseminating Marxist-Leninist ideas, fostering revolutionary consciousness, and galvanizing young people toward active participation in the social and political movements of the time.

The early 1930s were a turbulent period in Vietnam's struggle against foreign domination, and the emergence of this union symbolized a strategic effort to cultivate a robust base of youthful revolutionaries. The union played a pivotal role in educating the youth on the values of socialism and communism while providing a platform for political activism and social outreach. Its leaders sought to harness the energy and spirit of young people to create a more equitable society and to propel the revolutionary agenda forward.

The activities organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union included mobilizing students, educators, and workers while conducting propaganda campaigns to uplift ideas of independence, social justice, and unity among the Vietnamese people. Over time, the organization evolved and left a lasting legacy, setting the stage for the participation of youth in the larger independence movements that culminated in the Vietnam War and the subsequent establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.