Nghe An Moves to Correct ‘High-Step, Low-Step’ Scout Marching Errors

A marching display in Nghe An drew attention for its uneven “high-step, low-step” movements, prompting the provincial Youth Union to tighten supervision of scout ceremonies.

The Nghe An Provincial Youth Union said on September 3 that it had reported to the provincial Party Committee’s Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission after media coverage highlighted formations that did not follow the rules of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Pioneer Organization during National Day activities.

The review found several problems. Some members did not perform the marching step correctly, and left and right turns failed to meet the prescribed technique. A commander carried two flags during the ceremony, which officials said was not allowed. Some formations carried pink ceremonial flags that are not part of official scout protocol.

Officials also said members wore flag sashes that should be worn only by designated flag bearers. One three-person flag team had no flag bearer, while some participants wore berets, including red berets that do not comply with the rules for scout uniforms. Flute and wooden-drum formations also took part in the parade even though those elements are not included in the formal protocol.

The provincial Youth Union said it had already sent inspection teams to correct problems with movements, commands, formations, uniforms and performance techniques before the Dien Chau incident was recorded. After a video from Dien Chau appeared on social media, officials issued a reminder, but said the performance still failed to meet the requirements.

This year, 24 teams from across Dien Chau took part in activities marking the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s September 2 National Day. Each team included between 200 and more than 400 members, drawing thousands of residents to the local stadium. Hoang Ngoc Hiep, secretary of the Dien Chau commune Youth Union, said the locality had received feedback about the participants’ techniques, while maintaining that the formations generally carried out the ceremony.