(VNF)- A summer camp joined by more than 160 expat Vietnamese youth from 21 nations and territories wrapped up on Thursday in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Vietnam Summer Camp in Ho Chi Minh City came to an end with participants laying down floral wreaths at the Ho Chi Minh statue, paying tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Ben Duoc memorial temple and exploring the historic Cu Chi tunnels which are located in the outlying district of Cu Chi.

Many participants underlined the immense significance of the camp in nurturing their love for their home country. They added that they will do their utmost to help international friends learn more about Vietnam.

Several expressed their wishes to return to Vietnam to engage in charity activities and make contributions to their home country’s development in the future.

Expat Vietnamese participants are seen in an activity during the 2015 Vietnam Summer Camp. (Photo: VNA)

This year’s event, themed “Proud of Vietnam”, allowed participants to visit numerous historical and cultural relic sites, including the mausoleum of the late President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, the Hung Kings Temple in the northern province of Phu Tho and late President Ho Chi Minh’s hometown in the central province of Nghe An.

The youngsters also paid homage to late General Vo Nguyen Giap at his resting place in central Quang Binh province, and visited Truong Son Cemetery, the Vinh Moc Tunnel and Quang Tri ancient town in central Quang Tri province.

They also paid tribute to martyr Vo Thi Sau, a national heroine who fought against the French colonialists and was executed in her teen years, and visited former revolutionary bases in the province.

The annual summer camp aims to help young Vietnamese expats understand the country’s history, development and international integration process, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Ministry’s State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Le Quoc Thinh said.

The event also offers a great chance for overseas Vietnamese youth to share experiences with each other and improve their Vietnamese language skills, he added./.

by VNF