As the Japanese ship Nippon Maru safely docked at the port, 168 SSEAYP delegates, young leaders of ten Southeast Asian countries and Japan, were warmly greeted by officials and over 500 local young people.
During their stay in HCM City, SSEAYP 2024 delegates will participate in several exchange activities, including visiting and placing flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument, meeting with the city's leaders, and joining a homestay programme.
15 Vietnamese delegates are joining the ship for its 40-day journey this year, which lasts from November 4 to December 11. When returning to HCM City, they wear traditional long dresses.
The Vietnamese delegates
The manager of SSEAYP 2024, Shunsuke Fujimori, shared that he was delighted when the ship continued this year after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Japanese delegates.
This year, SSEAYP 48th will dock in Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia. After leaving Vietnam, the ship will leave for Indonesia and return to Japan.
Established in 1974, SSEAYP is a co-operative programme jointly run by the Japanese government and 10 Southeast Asian countries. Its goal is to foster friendship and a greater understanding among the youth of the participating nations.
Over the past 50 years, SSEAYP has symbolised international unity and connection, linking youth from Japan and Southeast Asia.
Vietnam first joined the programme in 1995.