Vietnamese youths speak to Obama

Record ID: 101950

  • Title: Vietnamese youths speak to Obama
  • Date: 25th May 2016
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) RAPPER, SUBOI, SAYING: "I'm sure that he did not have much time, but his answers gave me huge motivation. They meant that the path I chose was correct, sort of an assurance." (SOUNDBITE) (English) FILM MAKER, BAO NGUYEN, SAYING: "Usually, the Vietnamese people aren't used to having government official, politicians speaks directly, ask questions directly and being able to kind of have no filter between your leaders and the public. So I am happy to seeing how energetic the crowd was and how inquisitive they were toward the president."
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2016 08:55
  • Keywords: Vietnam Barack Obama Ho Chi Minh town hall youths
  • Location: HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
  • City: HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0054JB24W7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: U.S. President Barrack Obama wrapped up his 3-days Vietnam visit with a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday (May 25) with members of the Young South East Asia Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).
    Hundreds of people gathered for hours waiting for the U.S. President to arrive at the venue.
    U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also attended the event.
    Obama has impressed Vietnamese people deeply with his reference of the South East Asian country's culture and history, by quoting famous Vietnamese songs and poems in the several remarks he made during the visit.
    Attendees brought gifts, T-shirts and souvenirs hoping for a chance to present them to the president.
    Obama spent an hour answering questions on various issues asked by the audience, including the "pressing matter" of climate change in relation to development.
    He also made a brief dance to the rhythm of Vietnamese rapper Suboi, who Obama asked to perform a short verse when she asked him a question regarding freedom of speech and expression.
    Some attendees was impressed with the reaction of the young crowd, who usually are passive in encounters with government officials.
    Obama left Vietnam right after the YSEALI meeting, making his way to attend G7 summit in Japan, as well as visiting the historical city of Hiroshima.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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