A ceremony was held at Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City on November 17 to welcome the 2015 Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme, which carries 322 young people from the 10 ASEAN countries and Japan on board.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Long Hai, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, said that Vietnam has always appreciated the programme, which enhances friendship and mutual understanding among ASEAN and Japanese youths.

The Vietnamese Government and people have also pinned high hopes on the younger generation, considering them pioneers in all fields.

Friendship among youths today is significant for fostering peace, solidarity, and cooperation among nations in the future, Hai stated. As such, Vietnam wishes the Governments of ASEAN members and Japan would continue paying attention to youth exchange activities, in order to tighten the countries’ relations.

On the day, participating youths joined others in Ho Chi Minh City in a cultural exchange event, during which each country’s cultures were highlighted through performances.

The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to municipal leaders. It will visit historical relic sites and have a chance to live with local families to better understand Vietnamese people’s lifestyles and culture until November 21.

The 2015 ship, the 42nd of its kind, left Tokyo on November 5, and docked in the Philippines before arriving in Vietnam.

It will then leave HCM City for Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia, and then return to Japan for the final ceremonies.

Launched in 1974, based on a statement issued in the same year by Japan and Southeast Asian countries, the programme aims to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the participating nations, broaden their perspectives on the world and strengthen their spirit of international cooperation.

Vietnam joined the programme in 1995.

VNA