Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said enhancing vocational training to offer labourers more chances of employment was one of the goals mentioned in the ASEAN Leaders Statement on Human Resources and Skills Development for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth.

All ASEAN members countries were facing huge challenges in maintaining their human resources for economic development, and improving human resources was of vital importance, Ngan said.

She said the competition was a chance for young labourers to present their skills and share experiences with one another, and she hoped the occasion would promote the development of skills among ASEAN countries and improve their ability to co-operate.

Representatives of the 10 ASEAN countries said they would try their best to contribute to a successful competition.

This year's event has drawn about 300 young workers under the age of 22 from competing in 23 occupational skills and two performance skills.

The event is also being attended by 700 foreign technical experts, teachers and observers, as well as thousands of students.