Held from August 25 to 28, the Youth Exchange Program between Gia Lai province and young people from southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia brought participants together to share experiences, explore development opportunities and build practical connections for future cooperation.
The program included a seminar on youth entrepreneurship and career development, visits to businesses and scientific institutions, cultural and sports activities, and discussions on cooperation among provinces in the three countries.
At the seminar, “Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Youth: Connecting Friendship, Aspiring to Start Up, Shaping the Future,” delegates discussed entrepreneurship, career development and opportunities for interprovincial cooperation.
Displays of Gia Lai’s OCOP products and digital transformation applications also gave participants from Laos and Cambodia an insight into local product development and brand building.
Business visits offered another perspective on Gia Lai’s economic development. Delegates visited Dai Thanh Wood JSC, Bidiphar (Binh Dinh Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment JSC) and Phu Tai JSC, where they learned about the companies’ formation and growth, management models, and production and business operations.
Science and innovation were also central to the exchange. At the Center for Science Discovery and Innovation, part of the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE), participants explored scientific experiments and learned about its interdisciplinary scientific and educational environment and networking activities for young scientists.
Sengphaylin Chănthavisoukbch, a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Lao Youth Union and secretary of the Attapeu Provincial Youth Union, said the experience highlighted the broader significance of the program.
“For us, this exchange is not simply a youth meeting between localities, but truly a bridge of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation among the young generations of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia”.
She said participants were impressed by discussions on entrepreneurship, innovation, economic development, business models and local products in Gia Lai, while activities at ICISE provided greater awareness of science, education and innovation.
Beyond seminars and business and science visits, participants took part in friendly football matches at the Gia Lai Provincial Youth Activity Center and visited Kỳ Co - Eo Gió, among other activities.
The exchange also laid the groundwork for longer-term cooperation. A memorandum covering 2026-2030 between the Gia Lai Provincial Youth Union and the Youth Unions of Attapeu, Salavan and Sekong sets out areas of collaboration including youth entrepreneurship, volunteer activities for social welfare, tourism promotion, cultural and historical exchanges, traditional friendship and the sharing of experience in youth union work and youth movements.
The parties also plan to hold regular exchange and experience-sharing activities every two years.
Sam Socheang, deputy provincial governor and vice president of the Cambodia Youth Federation of Ratanakiri Province, representing the Youth Federations of Ratanakiri, Stung Treng and Preah Vihear, said the program had created a foundation for future cooperation.
“The achievements we have made today form a solid foundation for future cooperation”.
He said young people from the three countries had learned from young entrepreneurs, taken part in sports exchanges and joined in planting the Friendship Tree.
“Although the meeting has ended, in reality, we are just beginning,” Sam said, adding that participants would continue working together to turn their friendship and cooperation agreements into concrete and effective actions.
The “Connecting Friendship – Shaping the Future” Gala was held on the evening of August 27 in a warm and friendly atmosphere, bringing the exchange activities to a close.
For Phạm Hồng Hiệp, a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Youth Union and secretary of the Gia Lai Provincial Youth Union, the most valuable result was the personal connections formed among participants.
“The program goes beyond written agreements, encompassing smiles, hugs, handshakes, and genuine friendships among the youth of the three countries,” he said.
Despite differences in language, he said, young people shared aspirations to learn, contribute, innovate, start businesses and build their homelands.
The Gia Lai Provincial Youth Union and Youth Federation hope participants will become “young ambassadors of friendship,” helping spread the values of their countries and people, maintain connections and turn cooperation agreements into tangible projects and initiatives.