Big opportunity - New Future for Youth in Greater Mekong Sub-region
I was lucky because I had an opportunity to take part in the Program "GMS Youth Caravan and Youth Forum" which was supported by Asian Development Bank -ADB . I passed 3 rounds: application form round, Interviewing round and last round I was choosen as one of 6 Vietnamese representatives. Before Interviewing round, I participated in the event "National Youth Consultation" which was organized by ADB and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. In the event, Mrs. Laine Thomas representative of ADB and Mr. Shunsuke Bando representative of GMS Program shared: "Which objectives do Vietnamese youth in particular and GMS youth in general want to achieve when taking part in this Program?". I honestly shared: "We take part in this Program to solve difficult social-economic issues such as Energy, Agriculture & Urban Development, Transport, Telecommunications, Environment, HR development, Tourism, Trade, Private Sector Investment, etc in GMS especially in mountainous areas and border areas".Before participating in the Program "GMS Youth Caravan" I carefully prepared knowledge and skills in order to contribute to GMS's development and achieve objectives. GMS Youth Caravan devided into 2 Routes: Route I (People's Republic of China- Laos - Myanmar) from 09/12/2015 to 12/12/2014, Route II (Thailand - Vietnam - Cambodia) between 13/12 and 17/12. During the Caravan, I together with 35 Youth from 6 countries in GMS visited areas, projects which related to development sectors have been supported by Government, ADB. Besides, we shared cultural characterizes of each country.
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| The dam has been covered with trees and plants by human |
The Route I started in Jinghong, Yunnan province, China. We visited Jinghong HydroPower Plant - Hydrolancang and listened Director's sharing about operation and construction. The dam is considered as transnational cooperation about Energy sector between China-Thailand and Laos: Jinghong HydroPower dam not only provides electricity to Yunnan Province but also exports electricity to Thailand and Laos. Moreover, the dam reduces bad impacts of floods, storms to Lower Mekong Basin because it has 8 storage dams.
Then we had more knowledge about sectors: Energy, Tourism and Health in Laos. We did survey in the households in the mountainous areas and near border between China-Laos about using energy situation.
We clearly knew about eco-tourism via Planning and Investment Department Luang Namtha Province and had detail information about health situation of resident after visiting Luang Namtha Provincial Hospital as well. Especially, I realized that economy of Luang Namtha focuses on developing Agriculture (major products: rice,rubber,..) and Tourism.
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| Basi Ceremony |
A thing made a deep impression on me was Basi Ceremony. That is traditional and friendly welcome of people in Laos and Thailand as well. It attracted me because this Ceremony shows friendship, connection between countries in GMS
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Besides, we exchanged culture with residents and children in Pha Khuan Village, Laos.
Next, we moved to Myanmar. We visited Malteser Clinic where is near border between Laos- Myanmar takes care of HIV/AIDS patients. We must walk because the road is very narrow and bad. Then we climbed the mountain to see an ethnic minority Arkha. The road is worse because it has soil and stones. The life is poor, children have not enough clothes. However people still work hard, laugh and enjoy their life. I realized that people have optimistic attitude when joining the festival to welcome the New Year here.
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| Ethnic Minority Arkha - Myanmar |
Watching people tried for their living with bright smile on their lips before Tet Festival, I thought that: "When I return to Vietnam I will try to study and develop projects to support mountainous areas. From then, people are always happy, do not have to worry for livelihood problems every day".
The Route II, we started in Chiang Rai, Thailand after leaving Myanmar. This was the first time I knew about LCC (Low Cost Carrier) in Transportation sector (airway in particular). The 2nd country in Route II is Vietnam. The journey from Thailand to Vietnam traveled by a lot of unforgettable vehicles.
Firstly, we moved by airway - Air Asia Airline which is famous for LCC
Secondly, we went through Friendship Bridge which connects Thailand and Laos. The bridge has big social-economic values because it belongs to East-West Corridor.
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| Lao Bao Border- Vietnam |
Thirdly, we traveled by road from Laos to Vietnam. I was very surprised because of modern and large scale. Lao Bao is the only border which works until 10 pm in Vietnam. According to sharing of Manager, the border was supported by ADB. The objective of Border project is promote economic relationship Laos-Vietnam. Immigration for all of people was very fast and exactly.
In Vietnam, Environment was the most specific sector which we accessed.
We observed, learnt from BCC (Biodiversity
Conservation Corridor) in Huong Hoa, Quang Tri Province. We climbed, trekking with local residents and staff in charge of the project BCC. Trekking was very dangerous because the road was slippery, dangerous and very steep. At first I was scared and nervous. However, after listening to the sharing of staff BCC project : "Every day the Van Kieu ethnic minority must go from the top of the mountain to delta areas to buy water and food especially in winter, because summer they use rain water for daily living"; I felt better and passed though mountain despite of many dangerous insect attack and difficult road.
The second Project is about Climate Change in Dakrong Commune, Quang Tri Province. We listened Manager of Project's presentation. Then we participated in raising awareness of environment activities which organized by students at the Secondary.
The third Project is Eco-tourism in Hue city. I was aware of the importance of Sustainable Development: protecting environment is the priority when developing Tourism or other economic sectors. Especially, I knew about the importance of East- West Corridor (Vietnam- Thailand and Myanmar) to promote social-economic development in Hue city, Da Nang city - Tourism Sector in particular.
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| Hue Citadel |
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| Women's Development Center |
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| The ancient tree in Ta Prom Temple |
GMS Youth Caravan Program finished and we prepared for GMS Youth Summit Program on 19th-20th December in Bangkok, Thailand. 36 thyouth representatives from 6 countries in GMS shared experiences, knowledge during Caravan Program. Chúng tôi tham vấn về 6 lĩnh vực phát triển của GMS: Năng lượng, Môi trường, Thương mại, Giao thông vận tải, Du lịch và Y tế và gửi thông điệp tới các nhà lãnh đạo khu vực GMS. We consulted on 6 main development areas in GMS: Energy, Environment, Trade, Transport, Tourism and Health and sent messages to the leaders of the GMS
GMS Youth Caravan and Summit Program finished but my passion, enthusiasm to contribute for development of GMS and the world will never finish. I am proud and happy because I achieved my objectives in the event "National Youth Consultation". I will pass the flame to the Vietnamese youth, promote the development of young generation, contribute to the sustainable development in Vietnam, complete the mission of GMS 3Cs- Connectivity, Community, Contribution and promote the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community AEC in 2015
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| 6 Vietnamese Representatives and 2 staff of ADB at 5th GMS Summit (From right to left: Nguyen Ngoc Bich, Hoang Thi Thanh, Thac Thu Trang, Tran Do Nguyen Linh, Lainie Thomas, Jimmy, Le Tan Tien, Bui Minh Duc) |
In 2017, GMS Summit Program will organize in Vietnam. That will be a great opportunity for youth to participate GMS Youth Caravan because Caravan Program will parallel GMS Summit. Therefore, youth in GMS prepare knowledge, skills for yourself and take part in social activities as well, contribte to community's development to become 1 of 36 representatives in 6 countries of GMS.
Best regards,
Thac Thu Trang
