Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Welfare Pham Thi Hai Chuyen visited the National Convention Centre in Hanoi on October 21 to inspect preparations for the 10th ASEAN Skills Competition whose opening ceremony will take place on October 23.

The minister asked the organising board to well do inspection and supervision works in order ensure safety for competitors and participants at the event.

The biennial event aims to promote and improve vocational skills in the region so that they can meet international standards.

Themed “Skills-Our intrinsic values”, this year’s event will last until October 29.

It draws about 300 young workers, under the age of 22, from 10 ASEAN member countries competing in 23 occupational skills and two performance skills.

The event also sees nearly 700 foreign guests as technical experts, teachers, observers and thousands of students.

Vietnam first hosted the ASEAN competition in 2004, topping the medal tally with 13 of the 18 gold medals. At the 9th event in Indonesia in 2012, the country came second, with 44 workers competing in 22 skills.-VNA