(VNF) – The 5th China-ASEAN Youth Cultural Exchange Festival held recently in Guangdong province (China), is a memorable experience for 11 Vietnamese young delegates.

Young delegates from ASEAN's 7 member countries and China attending the festival (source: vietpeace.org)

The event, held from July 24 to July 28, brought together 80 students, age 12-17, from 7 ASEAN countries, which are Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The China-ASEAN Youth Cultural Exchange Festival is an annual activity which aims to tighten the bonds between the youth in ASEAN and China through a variety of exchange activities, to reinforce participants's understanding about the culture of ASEAN member states and China.

The festival also preluded the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN community, as well as promoting the ASEAN – China Year of Tourism Cooperation.

The host country, China was represented by primary students from Guangzhou city.

Members of the Guangzhou city Children’s palace, of which half were handicapped students also took part in the event.

Ms. Gu Xiulian, former Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, President of the China-ASEAN association, director of the China National Committee for the Well-being of the Youth attended the festival.

Speaking at the event, Gu emphasized the role of Guangdong province as one of the most important birthplaces and pioneers of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, where many cooperation and exchange acitivities with the South East Asia took place.

She also expressed hope that the youth of ASEAN and China’s ties will be further reinforced.

Vietnamese delegates playing the "Harvesting season" (source: cantho.gov.vn)

The Vietnamese team brought to the festival two dual arts performance, featuring traditional musical instrument (the T'rung and bamboo flute). They were also the only team from ASEAN which played musical instrument in the festival.

"The harvesting season", one of the song played by the Vietnamese student have greatly impressed the audience.

During the 5-day exchange of the China-ASEAN Youth Cultural Exchange Festival, the delegates also visited various local sights of interests, such as the Guangdong province Museum, the Canton Tower, the 13th path of the Qing dynasty; trying crafting traditional handmade decorative items and toys in Shun De city.

They also took part in other outdoor activities such as cycling in Seven – Stars Cave park and enjoying cruise tour on Zhoujiang river./.

( Translated by VNF )