Male student "brings" homeland on the Southeast Asia - Japan youth train

(Dan Tri) - On the Southeast Asia - Japan youth train, Hieu will bring small gifts printed with the national flag to give to international friends and plans to use 3D technology to introduce the image and people of Vietnam.

Journey to the "dream ship"

In August, in a small house in Quang Tri ward, Quang Tri province, male student Le Minh Hieu was busy preparing for a special journey on the 49th Southeast Asia - Japan Youth Train (SSEAYP), scheduled to take place in early 2026.

Minh Hieu, a recent 12th grade graduate from Quang Tri High School, is one of 16 Vietnamese delegates participating in the 49th SSEAYP.

Male student Le Minh Hieu (Photo: Nhat Anh).

This program takes young delegates across the sea to Japan and several ASEAN member countries, with many forum activities, cultural exchanges, meetings with international leaders and youth. The delegates will work and exchange in a multicultural environment for a month.

According to Minh Hieu, he learned about SSEAYP through social networks and was impressed by the forums, community projects, cultural exchanges and opportunities to meet with senior leaders. At the age of 16, Hieu prepared foreign language skills, social knowledge and community activity experience, nurturing the dream of becoming a member of SSEAYP.

Hieu said that the SSEAYP admission requirements are not simple. In addition to the age and language requirements, candidates must also have outstanding achievements in union activities, have a community project or an essay or presentation, and demonstrate their ability to contribute to strengthening the relationship between Vietnam, Japan and ASEAN countries.

On May 18, when he turned 18, Hieu officially submitted his application and passed the rigorous selection round. His essay impressed with its proposal to apply artificial intelligence and 3D technology to promote Quang Tri heritage in a modern and approachable way.

The interview and talent round of the show, which took place in Ho Chi Minh City, was even more challenging as it was all conducted in English. Hieu spent weeks researching current events, the environment, and regional politics to be prepared to handle the situation. With his existing English, Hieu presented excellently.

Hieu is the co-inventor of the self-propelled wheelchair to support people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Photo: Nhat Anh).

In addition, Hieu also programmed an application to create chords for Vietnamese songs, combining 3D images of the red flag with a yellow star with his homeland's famous landscapes. The unique idea helped him score full marks and win an official place to participate in the Southeast Asian - Japan Youth Ship program.

“I have dreamed of SSEAYP since grade 10 and spent 3 years training to wait for the opportunity. When I received the notice that I was one of 16 Vietnamese delegates to attend, I was extremely happy and emotional,” Hieu shared.

Bringing the image of the homeland closer to international friends.

To board the Southeast Asia - Japan youth train, Hieu prepared many small gifts bearing the mark of his homeland such as key chains, bucket hats printed with the Vietnamese flag and historical relic symbols to give to international friends.

Hieu also plans to use AI technology to recreate 3D images combined with music to introduce landmarks and heroic historical stories in Quang Tri and Vietnam.

Le Minh Hieu (left) is an active male student in union activities, volunteering, scientific innovation projects and international exchanges (Photo: Character provided).

“I will introduce the typical cultural features and historical relics of Quang Tri such as the Ancient Citadel, Hien Luong Bridge, Thach Han River... Using 3D images combined with music to promote my homeland and country. Through that, I hope that international friends will understand more about the history and people of Vietnam,” Hieu confided.

For Hieu, SSEAYP is not only an experiential trip but also an opportunity to learn, connect and inspire. He hopes that after returning, he can develop many meaningful community projects in the field of education and scientific innovation for young people in his hometown.

With his efforts, Le Minh Hieu received many awards, Certificates of Merit, and Certificates of Merit (Photo: Nhat Anh).

Not only did Le Minh Hieu excel in becoming a delegate to SSEAYP, he was also known as an active student in union activities, volunteering, scientific innovation projects and international exchanges. Hieu’s achievements made his teachers and friends proud.

Hieu and his classmates won first prize in the National Science and Technology Research Competition with the project "Self-propelled wheelchair to support people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis".

This project was also selected to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the US and won 4th prize. This success helped Hieu to be exempted from the high school graduation exam and directly admitted to university.

“Hieu is a good student, creative but very modest and has a spirit of dedication. He deserves to be a typical face representing the youth of Quang Tri. I believe Hieu will be a bridge to bring the image of his homeland closer to international friends,” Ms. Luong Thi Ngoc Diep, Hieu’s 12th grade homeroom teacher, proudly said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nam-sinh-dua-que-huong-len-chuyen-tau-thanh-nien-dong-nam-a-nhat-ban-20250820121736441.htm