Vietnamese delegation attends the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program 2026

On July 29, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union announced the list of 16 young people participating in the 49th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), taking place from January 15 to February 17, 2026.

Participating in the program, the delegation will work and exchange on the Nippon Maru ship, visiting Japan, Singapore and Thailand.

In each country, delegates will pay courtesy visits to the host government leaders; visit agencies, schools, and scenic spots; interact with local youth and experience culture through homestays.

After rigorous and competitive selection rounds nationwide, 16 official delegates were selected from thousands of potential candidates, coming from many different provinces, cities, industries and fields.

List of Vietnamese delegation. (Photo: VNA)

With a selection process consisting of two rounds: an application round and an interview-talent competition round, delegates must meet all criteria regarding age (18-30 years old), English proficiency, understanding of the country, people, history, culture-society, politics , economy of Vietnam, as well as youth movements in the country. At the same time, candidates must also have knowledge about ASEAN, Japan and the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and its partners.

This year's discussion topic was selected from the Implementation Plan of the "Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Trusted Partners" adopted at the ASEAN-Japan Summit in 2023, including 6 key contents: quality education; economic growth, sustainable and responsible tourism; global environment and climate change; risk reduction and post-disaster recovery; social welfare and inclusion; digital society and artificial intelligence.

Each delegate has their own journey, story and personality, but they all have in common the aspiration to become "global citizens with Vietnamese souls" - as General Secretary To Lam said in the article "The future for the rising generation".

The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) has been organized by the Government of Japan in coordination with ASEAN countries since 1974, aiming to enhance friendship and mutual understanding among youth of the countries.

Vietnam officially joined in 1996, after becoming an ASEAN member in 1995. This is a special opportunity for Vietnamese youth to broaden their horizons, learn, develop skills and introduce the image of a young, dynamic generation to international friends./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/doan-dai-bieu-viet-nam-du-chuong-trinh-tau-thanh-nien-dong-nam-a-nhat-ban-2026-post1052535.vnp