VietNamNet Bridge - The 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) with 329 delegates aboard anchored at Saigon Port on the afternoon of December 4.


From December 4-7, members of the ship will join with 1,000 local youths to take part in talks,
 cultural exchange, going sightseeing and home-stay in HCM City.
Photo: The ship was welcomed by over 2,000 Vietnamese youngsters.




Vietnam is the last of the five Southeast Asian venues the ship has
visited during its 53-day journey, starting from Japan before arriving
in the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Photo: Mr. Masaaki Sato, chief of the ship's managing board, waves hand to Vietnamese people.





The event is part of friendly activities to strengthen mutual understanding between young
people from Japan and Southeast Asian countries, and to provide a chance for participants
to broaden their perspective on the world, as well as to strengthen their motivation and ability
 in international cooperation by participating in discussions, and in various exchange activities
both on-board and in the countries visited.
Photo: Lao delegates





In addition, the participating youths are expected to progress to leadership positions
in youth activities, and in various other sections, in their own country after this program.
Photo: 29 members of the Vietnamese delegation.




The first ship was launched in 1974 and was organized annually since then.
This year marks the 11th time the ship arrives in Vietnam.




International delegates wear traditional costumes of Vietnam.
Male delegates wear mu tai beo (broad-brimmed hat)…






While female delegate wear non la (palm-leaf conical hat).











Delegates from Indonesia.





Vietnamese officials present flowers to the ship’s captain…






… and to chiefs of delegations.






TT/VNE