Friendship and Cooperation: ASEAN students visited the Shwedagon Pagoda

The contestants for 10th ASEAN Quiz (Regional Level) Competition visited Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon on Thursday.

Student youths from Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos together with the participants from Myanmar toured round the pagoda, and enjoyed the peaceful scenery.

The shared their experience of visiting Myanmar, highlighting the lovely customs and friendly nature of Myanmar people.

Ms. Allisya Kayla jasmine Yusuf, Student, Indonesia Team, said " We are so happy because Myanmar people are so friendly, kind and they are willing to help us and Myanmar is a really beautiful country.  Pagoda is very beautiful. I can’t stop taking the pictures of pagoda because it’s very beautiful. And it is looks like Chandi Borobudur of my country.”

Ms. Nabiela Syifa Zahira, Student, Indonesia Team, said " I feel like Myanmar is a beautiful country especially this pagoda. I really mesmerize the views how beautiful is this especially at night. Because we can see those shinning, really bright and beautiful. So, if I went back to Myanmar, I will really love to visit pagoda again.”

Mr. Phouth Ada Sitthinonthong, Coach, Lao PDR team, said “I have been dreaming of visiting Myanmar for a long time and this is my first time. I always heard about that the beautiful places in Myanmar especially this Shwedagon Pagoda seeing here actually wow me..you know..because very tall and very majestic and even more because I felt this all made of gold. It is very amazing I’ve never seen something as beautiful as before.”

Mr.Mam Seihareach, Student, Cambodia Team, said “During this trip, we have met a lot of friends. They are also very friendly. We defined the more of the ASEAN one vision, one identity and one community. I am really happy that they welcome us especially Burmese people. They are really well and I really appreciate it.”

Mr. Kim De Vie Prospere, Student, Cambodia Team, said “Myanmar people are the best. I really appreciate that. Especially all my friends and everyone who are accompany us during trip. Without you guys, I would never have this chance to visit Myanmar. And they are very kind. They always help us during when we have difficulties, even though sometimes we cannot understand each other but easy to communicate very well. And Burmese people are very kind. I cannot imagine how kind they can be and that is very touching for me. Sometimes, I feel very proud that I’m able to meet this people especially my Burmese friends. I would come to Myanmar again just to meet the people and see these beautiful places again.”

Myanmar successfully hosted this year competition of ASEAN Quiz in a Hybrid system in accordance with the COVID-19 prevention and control.

Students from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia and Viet Nam attended the competition together with Myanmar team while the students from Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand joined the event online.

The regional level competition was held with the theme “ASEAN: A community of Peace, Prosperity and Sustainability”, and Myanmar team won at the competition while Malaysia and Laos won 2nd and 3rd places.

Pyae Sone Chan Thar, Winner, Myanmar Team, said “ASEAN Quiz is about not winning a quiz, it’s about being a friendship between the ASEAN countries. So, I can make a lot of friends in this quiz. They are very friendly. After 3 days, the more of ASEAN remembered me that one vision, one identity and one community. Yes, we, ASEAN are really one group.”

The ASEAN Quiz is designed to foster the spirit of healthy competition among ASEAN youths while providing a platform for ASEAN youths to gain a deeper understanding among the ASEAN member states.  The competitions have been organized in rotation by the ASEAN member states once every two years since 2002. Thailand hosted the competition in 2002, Brunei in 2004, Malaysia in 2006, the Philippines in 2009, Cambodia in 2012, Viet Nam in 2014, Lao PDR in 2016, Indonesia in 2018 and Singapore in 2020 via online.