Many students spend summer days in army camp instead of at the beach or at home, trying to improve themselves with the help of the army’s iron discipline.

Dai said that he wants to attend to understand more about his capability before deciding whether to study at the Police Academy.

During the camp, students have to say goodbye to mobile phones, music players and TVs. The only way they can contact their parents and relatives is by writing letters.

The father of a girl from Can Tho city who attended the camp last year, related that at first, he could not imagine that the letter he received was written by his small daughter. He thought this could be the letter of an adult who had experienced many things in his life.

“Previously, she only cared about herself. But since returning from the camp, she automatically picks up her brother from school, does the washing herself, goes to the market and prepares meals,” she said.

Le Dinh Hoai Dung, from Chu Van An School in Dak Lak province, said that he learned a lot of things from the 10-day camp he attended.

It seems that students and organisers are both particularly fond of the night “Abandoning deceitfulness”, during which students tell stories about their families, express remorse and love for their families and parents. “Their stories show that they have grown up,” said TranThi Kim Lien, Deputy Director of the Southern Youth Centre.

Competition to become soldiers: 1 vs. 2

Lien from the Southern Youth Centre related that the numbers of students registering for the military camps this year are well above expected levels. She had to refuse many students who registered for navy camp because of the limited number of beds on ships (63 beds).

As for the inaugural army camp in the north, Hoang Minh Tan from the Southern Youth Centre said that the centre, after much deliberation, enrolled 55 of the 100 students.

The camp in the north this year will be organised in Kep town in Bac Giang province from July 13 to 20.

“Soldiers” will practice Dance-for-life, 16 martial arts’ movements, learn teamwork skills and social skills.

They will set up camp, sleep on the ground, have meals in the mountain and take baths in streams. They will have only one day to meet parents during the camp.

Minh Quyen-Luu Van