Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Culture ship to berth in HCM City

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Culture ship to berth in HCM City

The Nippon Maru, a ship that set sail from Japan carrying 328 youth ambassadors from Japan and the 10 member nations of the ASEAN grouping at the end of October, will dock at HCM City's Sai Gon Port tomorrow.
The sailing trip spanning 11 countries takes place every year under a cultural exchange programme funded by the Japanese Government.The sailing trip spanning 11 countries takes place every year under a cultural exchange programme funded by the Japanese Government.
The programme aims at promoting friendship and mutual understanding among the youth of Japan and Southeast Asian countries, broadening their perspectives and acquainting them with the history and culture of each nation.
The programme is open to exceptional young people between 18 and 30 years of age who have been chosen from many hopeful candidates to represent their countries on the ship's annual voyage.
This year, Viet Nam has 29 representatives aboard the cultural exchange vessel.
Le Quoc Phong, deputy secretary of the municipal Communist Youth Union, says that after arriving HCM City, the young people will live with local families in the city to directly experience local culture and lifestyles.
Around 200 families from nine districts in the city will host the youth delegates.
Also tomorrow, the' youth will present cultural facets of their respective countries in a performance at the Youth Cultural House; and on Thursday, they visit the Dai Nam Tourist Cultural Historical Zone in Binh Duong Province.
Japan first launched the programme in conjunction with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in 1974. Viet Nam sent its first representatives in 1996, after joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Programme organisers hope it will foster in all of the participants a spirit of leadership they can take back to their respective countries.
The Nippon Maru will leave for Manila, the Philippines on Saturday.
(Source: Viet Nam News)

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.