Southeast Asia-Japan youth ship arrives in HCM City

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The 45th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) docks at Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City on December 2.

The youths will stay in HCM City from December 2-5 to take part in a range of cultural exchange activities, visit schools, interact with the city’s students and youths and live with local residents to experience the daily life of Vietnamese families.

Welcoming the ship, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee Nguyen Ngoc Luong said he expected the youths from ASEAN and Japan will have good memories about Vietnamese people and nature during their stay in HCM City and at the same time, each of them will also leave good impression here to strengthen ties between ASEAN and Japan.

He urged Vietnamese participants to actively introduce to their regional peers the beauty of Vietnam’s nature, people and culture and learn from others to inspire the country’s youths.

Later the same day, SSEAYP participants and about 500 local youths participated in a cultural exchange programme where representatives from the countries performed their unique traditional songs and dances.

The SSEAYP is an annual youth exchange programme sponsored by the Japanese Government and supported by the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 1974 during which participants have an opportunity to live together on board the Nippon Maru Ship for over 50 days.

The journey aims to promote friendship among the youths of the participating countries, broaden their perspectives of the world and strengthen their spirit and skills for international cooperation.

This year’s SSEAYP, which takes place from October 23 to December 13, will visit four of the ten ASEAN nations, namely Brunei, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, and Japan.

It is expected to help youths exercise leadership skills in various fields and contribute to society in youth development. The participants have been engaged in vibrant discussions on social and youth matters, eye-opening cultural exchanges as well as sports, recreational and club activities. 

At each port of call, they are provided chance to interact with the local youths, pay courtesy calls on leaders, visit local institutions, get involved in community service and experience unique homestay programme.