More than 9,000 young Catholics converged in the Diocese of Thai Binh on Nov. 18 for the opening of the 21st Youth Day of the Hanoi Ecclesiastical Province in Vietnam.
Organizers said the gathering was marked by prayer, cultural tradition, and a strong call to unity during the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
Participants from dioceses across the province assembled at the Bishop’s House for the procession of the Youth Day Holy Cross, which was carried “from the Thai Binh Cathedral to the main square of the gathering.”
The rite opened a day described as a renewed celebration of faith for thousands of young people.
Bishop Dominic Dang Van Cau of Thai Binh, host of this year’s gathering, welcomed the delegates in his opening address.
Youth from the diocese then presented the “Chèo of Welcome,” a performance rooted in the region’s traditional chèo style that “introduced the distinctive characteristics of each diocese in the province.”
The cultural segment drew strong cheers from the crowd and set the tone for the rest of the program.
A solemn flag-raising ceremony followed, with the Youth Day flag “slowly unfurl[ing] against the sky” as a symbol of “the unity, zeal, and mission of today’s young people.”
The diocesan report noted that the presence of 14 bishops, more than 570 priests, and hundreds of religious men and women underscored the Church’s close accompaniment of young Catholics.
Their presence stood “as encouragement, support, and prayer for their mission,” according to organizers.
Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hanoi, Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, formally declared the gathering open.
The program continued with a drum and brass ensemble and a combined performance highlighting the history of the Diocese of Thai Binh.
