Despite heavy rain, more than 600 young city people extended to a warm welcome to 319 passengers aged between 18 and 30 from Japan and 10 member countries of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when the guests disembarked at the port.
The visitors will join the activities arranged by the Communist Youth League in HCMC to learn more about Vietnam, especially the Vietnamese people and culture.
They are scheduled to meet with the leaguefs members and young city people, visit press organizations, local companies and universities.
They will stay with families in the city as part of the homestay program which most of the members highly appreciate and join the ASEAN-Japan evening party.
The ship left Japanfs Yokohama Port on September 9 and called at Manila Port of the Philippines from September 14 to 17. After Vietnam, it will head to Thailand and Indonesia before ending the journey in Singapore on October 13.
SSEAYP was founded in 1974 under the initiative by and sponsorship of the Japanese government. SSEAYP acts as a bridge connecting people from Japan and the ASEAN countries for a peaceful, stable and cooperative future.
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Southeast Asian, Japanese youths keen on Vietnam culture
Many of the 300 Southeast Asian and Japanese youths on the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) said they were eager to learn more about Vietnamese culture after arriving in HCMC Sept. 20.
The ship Nippon Maru carrying the youths was berthed at Ho Chi Minh City Saigon Port to start its three-day visit to the city. The 50-day journey on the ship began on August 31 and will wrap up on October 13.
For many youths aboard, visiting Vietnam was a first and many expressed their enthusiasm to befriend Vietnamese youths and learn more about Vietnam.
Kitahara Yuji from Japan said, “I was very interested in Vietnam before and always wanted to make friends with Vietnamese youth. Now my desire to visit Vietnam has come true. During the past few days, my Vietnamese friends onboard told me about Vietnam’s voluntary youth program which has made many contributions to the community. I have also eaten pho (Vietnamese noodle) in Japan and it’s very tasty.�
“The Vietnamese youth gave us a warm welcome when we docked,� said Andry Yudha Kusuma from Indonesia. “After the journey, I will tell my friends about the friendly Vietnamese hospitality,� he added. “Vietnam Day was organized aboard our ship on Sept. 19 and the event helped me learn a lot about Vietnam’s culture.�
Many youth also hailed SSEAYP as a good opportunity to widen their understanding of other countries and its people.
Cambodian Mao Phalline, a student of Norton University, said, “I like cultural exchanges that help me learn many interesting things. Through SSEAYP, young people can express their expectations and desires.� Phalline was the sole candidate among 400 Cambodians chosen to join the program after passing an exam and interview.
Rabiatul Adamyah binti Kamarulzaman was one of 28 Malaysians selected among 2,000 Malaysian youths to partake in the program. “I have learnt a lot from the youths from the other countries during my days onboard,� he said.
Japanese Kitahara Yuji hoped that all youths joining SSEAYP would continue to help improve the welfare of their respective countries and the region.
Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, who is a teacher at the Nguyen Du school for gifted students in the Central Highlands province of Daklak, said, “I have made friends with many people in all the countries I’ve visited. A lot of youth from the other countries are very dynamic and creative.�
Delegates of SSEAYP will visit Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre and Khan Quang Do newspapers, companies and schools around the city on Sept. 21. The homestay program will also be arranged the same day.
On Sept. 22, an ASEAN-Japan Gala night will be organized at the HCMC Children House on 36 Le Quy Don street, district 3.
SSEAYP, an annual program which began in 1974, is sponsored by the Japanese government and supported by ASEAN member countries.
The program brings together about 300 youth from ASEAN countries and Japan and provides them with opportunities to interact onboard the Nippon Maru ship.
