Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Dao Hong Lan, said Vietnam requires a young generation full of self-confidence, dynamism and good knowledge as they are the nation’s future.

She said the forum is an opportunity for children to make their voice heard: “The young delegates are representatives of their peers nationwide. Please be active and creative in the forum’s activities to convey messages from millions of children nationwide to ministries and related agencies.”

Nguyen Thi Minh Tien is a youngster from Binh Phuoc province: “My message to the forum is to shield children from sex abuse. I want to gather support for other children in my province to attend school.”

During the 3-day forum, children discussed four key topics on violence against children, sexual abuse and early marriage, child labour, and cyber abuse. On the morning of August 26, participating children will join a dialogue with representatives from different State agencies and organisations.