PANO – The ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program in 2016 (SSEAYP 2016) carrying 329 delegates concluded the cultural exchange program in Ho Chi Minh City. Youths and locals came to bid farewell to the delegates at Cat Lai Port on November 14.

Youths and locals coming to bid farewell to the delegates at Cat Lai Port

During their four-day stay in Vietnam, youths from Japan and 10 ASEAN member countries visited historical relic sites, participated in cultural activities, youth forums, and exchanged with university students.

The delegates were also moved at the warm reception by Ho Chi Minh City’s youths and people. The program is an opportunity for the youths of Japan and ASEAN countries to learn more about Vietnam’s history, culture, and people, as well as Vietnam’s renewal process (Doi Moi), contributing to promoting friendship and mutual understanding among youths of those countries.

The ship will dock in Thailand at its next leg in the program, which was kick-started in 1974 and Vietnam first took part in the program in 1995. Till now, more than 600 Vietnamese delegates have joined the program.

Translated by Thuy Duong