Vietnamese students perform at the opening ceremony of the first Mekong Sub-Region International Students Exchange Programme in HCM City. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY (VNS) — The Mekong Sub-Region International Students Exchange Programme began on Friday at the Youth Cultural House in HCM City with the aim of promoting tourism industries in the region.

Eight city Ambassadors from HCM City, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Bangkok will compete at the final contest at the HCM City University of Economics on October 20.

The ambassadors must show their knowledge, verbal agility, public presentation and passion for tourism in the final contest to become the Youth Tourism Ambassador of Mekong Sub-Region.

On Friday, ambassadors took a trip to Tien Giang Province to take photos of the land and people.

Students from Bangkok participate in the event. — VNS Photo

Students from four cities will take part in cultural exchanges through traditional games and culinary contests during the five-day event, which is being held for the first time.

The programme, part of an activity launched by the Lower Mekong Tourism Cities Mayor Summit, would be held annually in participating cities, said La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"Young ambassadors will introduce tourism destinations in the countries of the Lower Mekong sub-region to young people around the world," Khanh said at the opening ceremony of the programme which is co-organised by the department, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union-HCM City Chapter, and the University of Economics. —VNS