Hoang Thi Minh Hong, the first Vietnamese person to set foot in Antarctic in 1997 and also head of the Vietnamese contingent of the upcoming expedition, said the team will include 5 women and 1 man. The expedition this time is planning some measures to reduce the impact of climate change, Ms. Hong added.

The six selected Vietnamese had to beat out 50 other candidates.

IATE 2009 will commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and will encourage countries worldwide to respect the treaty and continue to protect the Antarctic as a place for science and peace in the coming years.

The Vietnamese team will begin their journey at a training course in Ushuaia, Argentina, on November 14. Four days later, they will board the Clipper Adventurer with expedition members from other 17 countries.

Members of IATE 2009 will explore the Antarctic, examine the importance of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and take part in leadership training activities. On returning to their countries, they will become ambassadors for preserving the Antarctic for the benefit of all people everywhere.

One of the biggest challenges for the Vietnamese team is finding sponsors to pay the expenses of the expedition. The 2041 Organisation will put up 50 percent of the expenses but the team still needs US$10,000 plus the cost of plane tickets and equipment.