(VOVworld) – A ceremony was held at Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday to welcome the 2015 Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth. The ship, which carries 329 young people from Southeast Asian countries and Japan, is scheduled to stay until Saturday when it will depart for Yangon, Myanmar.

Ship Nippon Maru carries ASEAN and Japanese youths abroad (Source: VNA)

Following a welcoming ceremony at Cat Lai Port, the delegates will pay courtesy visits to dignitaries, interact with local youth, call on municipal institutions, and get involved in community service. During their five-day stay in Ho Chi Minh City, the youngsters will  participate in a homestay program. Nguyen Quoc Tuan is head of the Vietnamese delegation on board the ship: "Under this year’s motto “Blooming Vietnam”, we want to introduce our peers to Vietnam, which is developing strongly in all areas, and Vietnamese youth, who are ready to contribute their strength and wisdom to the development of Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and Vietnam-Japan relations."  

The ship, which began its journey on November 5 from Japan and previously docked in the Philippines, will visit Laos and Malaysia, and then return to Japan. On board activities include group discussions, cultural presentations, and sports.