SSEAYP delegates were welcomed by host families and young people from District 10 to stay at local homestays – Photo: THANH HIEP
SSEAYP delegates visited 13 districts and Thu Duc City (HCMC) to stay with host families.
"Feeling lucky to be at Le's mother's house"
Otsubo Haru (Japan) could not hide his excitement when he learned that he would spend 2 days with Mrs. Nguyen Thi Le's family in Ward 14 (District 10). He said he was a bit worried because he did not know if he could integrate into the Vietnamese lifestyle and culture, but he said "I feel lucky to meet Mrs. Le's family".
“Every member of the family welcomed me like a long-lost child. My mother took me to eat Hue beef noodle soup, pork rib rice, sugarcane juice… and then took me for a ride on her motorbike. If it weren’t for Le’s family, I probably wouldn’t have had such a Vietnamese experience,” Haru said.
The warm, intimate meal from Le's foster mother's family is what Haru and Chau Giang miss the most - Photo: Doan Ward 8, District 10
Living with Haru, Nguyen Ha Chau Giang (Vietnam) said that she is from the North and thought she understood a lot about her country. However, when living with a Southern family, Giang felt the difference in the way of life, thinking and communication culture between regions.
“I was impressed with the family meal at Le’s mother’s house, warm and affectionate. Two short days but full of emotions, understanding more about the cultural diversity of my country,” Giang shared.
The first time she adopted an SSEAYP delegate, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le said she felt sorry for the two as soon as she met them. “They are very kind and lovely, my family considers them as family,” Ms. Le said.
Taking advantage of the short two days, if there is anything interesting about Vietnam, the whole family will introduce it to you. And want you to feel the hospitality and friendliness of the Vietnamese people.
SSEAYP delegates visit the War Remnants Museum (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) – Photo: THANH HIEP
168 delegates of the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) from 10 Southeast Asian countries (except Myanmar which did not participate this year) and Japan. The ship docked at Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of November 14.
This is a cooperation program between the governments of 10 ASEAN member countries and Japan to strengthen the exchange and friendship between the youth of ASEAN countries and Japan. The cruise has passed its 50th year (since 1974) with 48 times of organization.
The delegates have four days in Ho Chi Minh City with many activities. These include cultural exchange programs and homestays.
You also divided into groups to interact and discuss with Ho Chi Minh City youth at universities and Youth Union bases on a number of topics about soft power and people's diplomacy, global environment and climate change, risk reduction and post-disaster recovery.
Vietnamese people are resilient
In addition to cultural experiences, SSEAYP delegates also learned about Vietnamese history when visiting the War Remnants Museum (District 3).
After visiting the museum, Aquilah Natasha (Brunei) shared: “The images and artifacts at the War Remnants Museum show the brutality of the war that Vietnam has experienced. But what I feel is greater than the loss and pain is the spirit of solidarity and resilience of the Vietnamese people.”
This delegate from Brunei said he admired the Vietnamese people for turning the trauma of war into motivation to rise up and build a strong country like today. And he will share that with his friends and family when he returns.
Jamsri (Thailand) said that there are common points between the history of the two countries that you can feel after visiting the rooms.
“The consequences of war are always devastating, but that helps us appreciate the value of independence and freedom even more,” Jamsri said.
Thanyam (Thailand) and Binti Alus (Brunei) go out with their foster family Nguyen Thi Hoai (Ward 12, Tan Binh District) - Photo: THANH HIEP
Some pictures of SSEAYP delegates experiencing culture, history and cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City:
Otsubo Haru (Japan) and Nguyen Ha Chau Giang (left) enjoy a glass of cool sugarcane juice – Photo: THANH HIEP
Ms. Nguyen Thi Le (District 10) presented a modernized ao dai to Otsubo Haru (Japan) - Photo: Ward 8 delegation, District 10
Delegates from Japan, Brunei, and Malaysia visited the City Post Office together – Photo: THANH HIEP
The delegates were also led by young people from Ward 2 (District 3) to participate in the national solidarity festival - Photo: THANH HIEP
Aquilah Natasha (Brunei) and Jamsri (Thailand) and their foster family Ly Thi Nguyet Anh (District 7) visited and took souvenir photos at the War Remnants Museum - Photo: THANH HIEP
Vietnam welcomes the 48th SSEAYP
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