Today’s circle insight is by James Goh, Halogen’s Chief Experience Officer. In his insight, he reflects on his experiences with Vietnam’s youth community and the similarities he’s found with youth in Singapore. From shared challenges to common aspirations, James highlights how young people in both countries are more connected than we might think. His reflections offer a fresh perspective on the youth journey, showing that no matter where they are, the drive to learn, grow, and lead is universal.

Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting Vietnam five times for work, each trip allowing me to experience the country beyond its renowned cuisine and vibrant culture. More importantly, these visits have given me invaluable opportunities to connect with a diverse range of individuals – from young people to entrepreneurs to leaders of major corporations – each offering unique perspectives on the future of Vietnam’s youth development. Through these conversations, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the aspirations, challenges, and dreams that shape the next generation in Vietnam.

When Halogen (Singapore) celebrated our 20th anniversary and introduced a refreshed vision, we endeavoured to expand our mission and bring some of the impactful youth development work we do in Singapore to serve youths beyond our borders. To gain a deep understanding of the diverse needs of young people in various countries, we connected with individuals across the region, facilitated by Halogen’s existing partnerships in Singapore and connections across ASEAN.

For me, I had the opportunity to have conversations with over 150 individuals. While each of these exchanges offered new insights into the aspirations and challenges of Vietnamese youth, it highlighted a powerful truth that stood out starkly: while each country has its unique characteristics – the dreams, struggles, and motivations of young people living in today’s complex environment are more similar than we think. This journey has been instrumental in shaping our commitment to empowering youth across the region.

Why Vietnam?

Many of the people I meet to ask about Vietnam often turn the question around and ask me, “What draws you to Vietnam?”. Beyond a personal passion, these visits are a part of our mission at Halogen – to understand youth communities across ASEAN. With each visit, I saw firsthand how cultural exchange and shared learning between nations like Vietnam and Singapore can spark meaningful youth development. These exchanges contribute significantly to Halogen’s research on the evolving aspirations of today’s youth.

Shared Aspirations and Motivations

Across both Singapore and Vietnam, and amidst a rapidly changing world, young people are driven by goals that transcend borders; personal success, career growth, and entrepreneurship. Youths in both countries actively seek upskilling opportunities, connecting with global resources to prepare for the future. During my visits, I saw countless examples of young individuals in Vietnam striving to create positive change – stories that mirror the ambitions I see among young Singaporeans.

In one of my recent trips to Hanoi, I visited Blue Dragon Foundation, a partner organisation of Halogen who nominated a youth to join our 2024 National Young Leaders Fellowship. We spoke about the story of Nhung, our youth fellow who despite challenging family backgrounds, was supported by Blue Dragon Foundation throughout her growing up years, after which giving back to the foundation by running socio-emotional workshops for children at the centre, as well as restarting an initiative to clean up litter from the streets of Hanoi. She continues to actively advocate for young children today, despite now pursuing a full-time education at an international university in Hanoi. 

Balancing Cultural Identity and Modernity

Navigating the line between tradition and modernity lies another common thread. Both Vietnamese and Singaporean youths find themselves deeply rooted in family and cultural heritage while also embracing progressive values and self-expression. They balance individuality with a commitment to their communities, showing us that embracing heritage doesn’t hinder growth; rather, it strengthens it.

A standout example is a business project concept developed by a group of young people I encountered while serving as a judge at a joint hackathon event hosted by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh and the Singapore University of Social Sciences. This team, comprised of youths from both Singapore and Vietnam, proposed a project called “Sens.” Their goal was to empower rural artisans skilled in the traditional art of lotus silk weaving by bringing this heritage craft into the e-commerce space. Additionally, they aimed to support these artisans in adopting new technologies to increase the craft’s scalability and reach. By bridging cultural identity with modern innovation, their project reflects a commitment to preserving tradition while ensuring its relevance in a rapidly evolving society and economy. 

Through my many interactions, I see this duality being played out in both countries. Young people can be deeply engaged in global trends yet remain connected to their families and local communities. This combination of modernity and cultural identity shapes their unique perspectives on life and work.

Common Social Concerns

Beyond personal ambitions, young people in both countries share similar concerns and challenges, and are often willing to be vocal about how they can play a part in solving these societal issues. In the many conversations, the uncertainty of the future revolving around employment, environment and personal well-being is constantly on the minds of youth. One shining example was Thi, who I had the chance to meet up with after she returned to Vietnam after the National Young Leaders Fellowship in 2024. She shared with me about her belief in the value of education, and how she aspires to develop an initiative, with resources and a team, to be able to give back to rural communities as a means to improve the both employability and quality of life of young people in her country. 

This drive she has is mirrored among the youths we have in our Halogen’s National Young Leaders Fellowship. For the very first time this year, Halogen (Singapore) opened our doors to 10 ASEAN fellows, alongside 30 other Singapore fellows from diverse backgrounds. It is my hope that as Halogen does more and more youth development work in the region, we can bridge opportunities between youths, helping amplify their impact in these causes shared by youths across geographies.

A Shared Future Rooted in Commonality

The commonalities I observed reaffirms that youth across Singapore and Vietnam are more connected than ever before. Culturally, we even celebrate the same festivals, and eat similar foods. While it’s easy to focus on the visible differences between cultures, it’s equally vital to recognise our similarities. It is my reflection that because of what we share, it is easier to foster stronger bonds that pave the way for collaboration and meaningful change. The next time you walk down the streets of Singapore or Vietnam, keep a lookout! Who knows, you might just start to see the same things I did – our shared roots, shared culture and shared youth aspirations.