During the 49th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) and Duc Giang Corporation (Dugaco) accompanied the Vietnamese delegation, helping to enhance the confidence and dynamism of the younger generation as they affirm Vietnam’s position on its journey toward international integration.
The SSEAYP is an international youth exchange program among ASEAN countries and Japan, held annually since 1974. For more than half a century, the program has served not only as a bridge to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among youth in participating countries, but also to broaden global perspectives and foster a spirit of cooperation and international responsibility among the younger generation. Vietnam officially joined the program in 1996, following its accession to ASEAN in 1995. Over the years, the country has consistently been highly regarded for the quality of its delegates, their capacity for international integration, and their proactive spirit.
By taking part in SSEAYP 2026, the Vietnamese Youth Delegation projected the image of a dynamic and resilient country that is deeply integrated into the global community and ready to contribute to both regional and global issues. On the Nippon Maru cruise ship, delegates joined 6 in-depth discussion groups focusing on Quality Education; Economic Growth and Sustainable Tourism; the Global Environment and Climate Change; Disaster Risk Reduction; Social Welfare and Inclusion; and the Digital Society and Artificial Intelligence — all guided by the “Vision Statement on ASEAN–Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Trusted Partners.”
The theme “Ascending Viet Nam” became the overarching direction for all activities and communications carried out by the Vietnamese delegation throughout the SSEAYP 2026 program. To fully embody this spirit, the delegates’ appearance played a crucial role in creating a strong first impression in the international environment. Accompanying the Vietnamese delegation, Vinatex and Dugaco sponsored a full set of outfits – including suits, skirts/trousers, shirts, windbreakers, and T-shirts for 18 members of the delegation (comprising 1 national leader, 1 alumnus, and 16 youth delegates).
The team leader in charge of attire – Nguyen Hoang Duc Thinh, commented: “Outfits always play a key role in creating the first visual impression at any international event. At SSEAYP, products by Vinatex and Dugaco, particularly the formal suits, not only received praise from international peers for their distinctive design but also offered maximum comfort and practicality for the wearers. When Vietnamese delegates feel most confident and comfortable in their attire, that is when the spirit of ‘ascending’ shines most naturally and brilliantly in the eyes of international friends.”
Upon receiving the actual products, Duc Thinh summed up his feelings in two words “assured”: about both the quality and the progress, expressing his belief that the Vietnamese delegation had made the right choice of sponsors, as the products had exceeded expectations.
Little-known, two months before the departure of the SSEAYP, delegate Lai Duc Minh — a member of the external relations team had proactively reached out to Vinatex to discuss the possibility of sponsoring outfits for the delegation. As a long-standing customer at the store on 25 Ba Trieu Street in Hanoi, he had always trusted the quality and value of the Group’s products. Therefore, when searching for a partner for the attire category, Vinatex was the first name that came to his mind — not only because of his personal experience, but also due to the credibility and leading position of the brand in the industry.
“When young Vietnamese step onto the international stage wearing outfits produced by domestic enterprises, it reflects not only a polished appearance but also confidence in their heritage. Wearing Vietnamese textile and garment products makes us feel that we are not just representing ourselves but also carrying the capabilities and progress of Vietnamese businesses to the world,” Duc Minh added.
Throughout the collaboration with Vinatex and Dugaco, Chu Phuong Anh, a member of the delegation’s external relations team, was particularly impressed by the sponsors’ enthusiastic and sincere working style. “The companies were always proactive in suggesting fabrics, colors, and patterns that aligned with the theme ‘Ascending Viet Nam.’ Although delegates were based in different provinces and cities, Dugaco still arranged fitting sessions so that each member could be measured and try on various outfits. Thanks to this meticulous and dedicated approach, the Vietnamese delegation received numerous compliments from international peers regarding their attire. When the final products were delivered, all members were delighted and expressed high appreciation for the outfits, especially the comfortable materials and ease of movement. Some delegates were even so impressed that they asked for contact details to have additional garments made.”
The image of the Vietnamese Delegation in their official attire (A1), which appeared consistently throughout the Orientation Ceremony, the Opening Ceremony, the Flag Salute Ceremony, as well as meetings with senior leaders and other key external engagement activities, became a distinctive highlight among the 11 participating delegations. Many international delegates expressed admiration for the Vietnamese delegation’s suits: from their well-tailored, elegant fit to their distinctive yet refined colors. Delegate Duc Minh commented: “I believe this stems from the experience and meticulous refinement of Vinatex and Dugaco in designing outfits that suit the physique of Vietnamese people. The feedback from international peers is not merely praise for the attire, but also recognition of the Vietnamese delegation’s polished and confident image when appearing on the international stage.”
For more than 1 month, from January 15 to February 17, 2026, the Vietnamese Youth Delegation successfully fulfilled its missions and received widespread praise from the organizers and fellow delegations during its participation in the 49th SSEAYP. The success of SSEAYP 2026 has reaffirmed the standing of Vietnamese youth on the international stage, while also bringing back valuable lessons to support the implementation of youth initiatives at home.
Behind the confident steps taken on the deck of the Nippon Maru is the quiet support of Vietnamese enterprises. For Vinatex and Dugaco, sponsoring the delegation’s attire was not merely an act of assistance, but also a way to tell the story of the capability, resilience, and aspirations of Vietnam’s Textile and Garment industry. As the younger generation “ascends” onto the global stage, they carry with them the confidence, quality, and spirit of Vietnamese businesses, moving in step toward a new era — an era of national advancement.
