ASEAN, Japanese friends moved by Vietnamese people’s hospitability
Japanese ship Nippon Maru with 168 delegates of the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) on board left Ho Chi Minh City on November 17 afternoon for other stops in their journey this year.
This year’s programme attracted the participations of youths from Japan, and nine Southeast Asian nations, namely Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam.
During their four-day stay, the delegates had chances to join discussions on various urgent issues related to the environment, sustainable development, and health and social welfare.
The programme also offered opportunities for them to learn about the culture, and enjoy cuisine of Vietnam.
One of the highlights of this year’s programme was to experience living with local residents in all 13 districts and Thu Duc city of Ho Chi Minh City.
Many delegates shared that they were impressed with the sentiments and hospitability of local people.
Vietnam officially joined SSEAYP in 1996, after becoming a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 1995. Since then, the Vietnamese contingent has left a profound and special mark on the programme.
In 2024, Vietnam celebrates its 25th year of participation in the programme. The National Committee on Youth of Vietnam has hosted the SSEAYP ship in HCM City 18 times.
