NCC Youth Exchange Programme Vietnam 2026: From a Class 9th Dream to Becoming a Youth Ambassador of India

SUO Radhika Negi, 29 UK BN

Maa ne ek baar kaha tha, ‘Tu shayad in sab cheezon ko poora nahi kar paayegi… tere liye ye raasta aasaan nahi hai.’ Shayad unhe meri capabilities par nahi, mere raaste ki mushkilon par doubt tha. But today, here I am. Maine sirf apne aap ko prove nahi kiya… maine Maa ko bhi dikha diya ki unki beti mushkil raaston se haarne wali nahi hai. Aur aaj unki aankhon ki khushi… mere liye sabse bada achievement hai. ❤️

For me, that dream began in Class 9.

It started with something as simple as watching the NCC Republic Day Camp parade on television. I watched cadets marching proudly through Delhi and quietly told myself:

“Ek din mujhe bhi Delhi jaana hai… apne Uttarakhand ko represent karna hai, apne India ko represent karna hai.”

At that moment, Vietnam was nowhere in my imagination.

I only wanted to reach Delhi.

Years later, that same dream took me much farther than I had ever imagined—across international borders, into the heart of Vietnam, and onto a platform where I represented India as a Youth Ambassador under the NCC Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) 2026.

My journey was not a straight road.

It was filled with uncertainty, repeated efforts, self-doubt, unexpected opportunities and moments when I had no idea what the next chapter would look like.

And perhaps that is what makes my story worth sharing.

Because my journey is not just about Vietnam.

It is about what happens when an NCC cadet refuses to stop walking towards a dream.

More Than a Uniform, More Than a Camp

For me, NCC was never limited to a uniform, parade or a few camps. It became a journey of dreams, discipline, struggle, confidence and self-discovery.

Coming from a rural background, I did not initially have complete knowledge about the opportunities available through NCC. I completed my A and B Certificates during school, but many of the larger opportunities within NCC were still unfamiliar to me.

Then college gave me another chance. I joined NCC again—and this time, I knew what I wanted.

RDC.

The moment I learnt that Republic Day Camp selections were conducted through my college, my mind was made up.

I wanted to be there. I wanted to represent my state. I wanted to stand among those cadets I had once watched on television. But destiny had something more planned for me.

The Dream Was RDC. The Journey Became Much Bigger.

Initially, I imagined myself becoming part of the cultural team. However, my seniors wanted me to participate in drill. I found myself standing at an unexpected intersection:

Cultural or Drill?

Eventually, I ended up pursuing both.

What appeared to be one journey towards RDC slowly opened two completely different doors—Cultural and Youth Exchange Programme.

This became one of the first lessons of my NCC journey:

Sometimes, the opportunity you receive is not the opportunity you originally imagined.

You simply have to be prepared enough to recognise it.

The Road to Selection Was Never Easy

Behind every selection list is a story that rarely gets seen.

For me, that story included adapting to a new environment, overcoming my fear of English, becoming physically stronger, attending camps, participating in repeated rehearsals and managing academics alongside NCC responsibilities.

There was pressure.

There was exhaustion.

There were expectations.

And, like almost every ambitious cadet, I also experienced moments of self-doubt. But I kept going.

“Sapna bada tha, toh struggle bhi chhota kaise hota?”

Every camp added something to my personality.

Discipline. Patience. Teamwork. Adaptability.

And perhaps most importantly—the habit of showing up even when I did not feel completely ready. That habit later became one of my biggest strengths during YEP.

Between Hope and Self-Doubt

Then came the selection phase. The question constantly running through my mind was simple:

“Delhi jaa paungi ya nahi?”

Waiting for a selection result can sometimes be more difficult than the selection itself. You replay your performance. You compare yourself with others.

You wonder whether you were good enough. And then came the moment. My name was on the list.

Selected.

I was selected as a cultural participant—and selected for the YEP journey. Suddenly, every rehearsal, every difficult camp and every moment of uncertainty felt worthwhile.

“Kabhi-kabhi ek naam poori kahani badal deta hai.”

For me, that name was mine.

The Road to Delhi

The next chapter took me to Delhi. At DG NCC, I gave my best during cultural activities and PM Rally preparations. But another selection process was waiting.

The YEP selection involved an exam, group discussion and interview.

I gave it everything I had. Still, I was not completely sure about the result.

“Maine apna best de diya tha… ab story ka next scene result ke haath mein tha.”

I returned home with the happiness of RDC. But without knowing it, another opportunity was already waiting around the corner.

From the YEP United Kingdom Reserve List to YEP Vietnam

Then came an unexpected twist.

I found my name on the United Kingdom reserve list.

My first thought was:

“Maybe ek aur YEP ka chance milega.”

I began working on my passport and continued hoping. And then came the news I had never expected.

Vietnam.

My name appeared on the Vietnam YEP selection list. For a moment, it was difficult to believe. The girl who had once dreamt of reaching Delhi was now going to travel outside India.

Not as a tourist. Not simply as a student.

But as a representative of India—as a Youth Ambassador.

My family was incredibly happy. My mother, especially, was overwhelmed with emotion. She reminded me of how far I had come and said:

“Beta, tumne sirf apna nahi, hum sabka sapna poora kiya hai.”

Her words stayed with me. For her, my journey was not only about travelling to Vietnam. It was about seeing the dreams, sacrifices and hopes of our family reach an international platform through me.

And the significance of that moment was not lost on me.

“Jo dream Delhi se start hua tha, ab woh borders cross karne wala tha.”

Preparing to Represent India

Before travelling to Vietnam, our delegation underwent Pre-YEP preparation at the DG NCC Camp in Delhi. The preparation was about much more than packing bags and learning about another country.

There were presentations. Cultural rehearsals. Meetings. Practice sessions. Communication exercises. And lessons on how to conduct ourselves while representing India internationally.

Cadets from different parts of India gradually transformed from individual participants into one delegation. We also learnt about etiquette, table manners, communication and the responsibilities that come with representing the country abroad.

The guidance provided by our Delegation Leaders became an important part of this preparation.

As I often say:

“Hum sirf Vietnam jaane ki preparation nahi kar rahe the… hum India ko represent karne ki preparation kar rahe the.”

And that distinction matters. Because an international exchange is not simply about visiting another country. It is about becoming a representative of your own.

My First Journey Beyond Indian Borders

Then came a moment I had never experienced before. My first international flight. The excitement was difficult to describe.

First flight.

First foreign country.

First time representing India outside the country.

And then the aircraft landed in Vietnam. A completely new environment was waiting for me. A different language. Different surroundings. Different food and customs. Different people. But there was something surprisingly universal.

A smile.

Our delegation knew a few Vietnamese words, including “Xin chào”—hello.

Using those words during our first interactions made the experience even more exciting. The language was different. But communication did not always require words.

“Language alag thi, but smiles ko translation ki zarurat nahi thi.”

Hanoi: Where History Met Youth and Diplomacy

The first major chapter of my Vietnam journey unfolded in Hanoi. The city introduced us to Vietnam's history, culture, education and youth institutions.

We visited several important places, including:

• Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)
• Hoa Lo Prison
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Children’s Palace
• Hanoi Flag Tower
• Ho Chi Minh Youth Federation
• Le Duan School

Each visit offered a different perspective. Some places connected us with Vietnam's history. Others offered insight into education and youth development.

The visit to the Ho Chi Minh Youth Federation and Le Duan School was particularly relevant to understanding Vietnamese youth leadership and education.

But perhaps one of the most significant visits was to the Embassy of India in Hanoi. As a young cadet representing India abroad, being at the Indian Embassy gave me an opportunity to understand the larger relationship between the two countries.

India–Vietnam relations, diplomacy and future cooperation suddenly became more than topics that exist in textbooks. They became something I could experience from a much closer perspective.

My reflection captures the experience beautifully:

“Vietnam ko jitna jaana, India ko utna hi naye perspective se samjha.”

Sometimes, travelling away from home helps you understand home better.

Nha Trang: Learning Beyond the Classroom

From Hanoi, our delegation travelled to Nha Trang. Here, the YEP experience took on a more technical and educational character.

We visited:

• Telecommunications University
• Sanvinest Industry
• Air Force Officers College
• National Oceanographic Biodiversity Museum
• Khanh Hoa Heritage Museum

These visits exposed us to areas we may not encounter during our regular NCC routine.

We learnt about:

• Military communication.
• Technical education.
• Agro-marine industries.
• Military aviation.
• Marine biodiversity.
• Regional heritage.

But YEP was never only about formal visits.

Between official programmes were the small moments that eventually became the strongest memories—the city, the beach, the atmosphere and the time spent together as a delegation.

As I reflect:

“Har jagah ek nayi story thi, aur har story mein ek nayi learning.”

That is perhaps the essence of a Youth Exchange Programme. You learn from institutions. You learn from people. You learn from cultures. And sometimes, you learn simply by being somewhere completely unfamiliar.

The Moment India Took the Stage

One of the proudest parts of my Vietnam YEP experience was presenting India.

Our delegation had the opportunity to share India's culture, heritage, achievements and the unique relationship between India and Vietnam. And then came the cultural performance.

• Music.
• Dance.
• Tradition.

An audience watching. And an Indian cadet standing on an international stage.

For someone who had started her NCC journey with a dream of representing Uttarakhand and India, this was much more than a performance.

“Us stage par main sirf perform nahi kar rahi thi… main apne India ka ek chhota sa hissa duniya ke saamne rakh rahi thi.”

That is the difference between performing and representing. One is about the performance. The other carries a responsibility.

Culture Beyond Borders

Perhaps the most beautiful part of the Youth Exchange Programme was the opportunity to meet people from another country and realise how much can be shared despite differences.

I met Vietnamese cadets and coordinators during the programme. The differences were obvious. Different languages. Different traditions. Different backgrounds. Yet friendship developed naturally. Conversations began. Smiles were exchanged. Experiences were shared.

And memories were created.

“Borders countries ko divide kar sakte hain, lekin friendship ko nahi.”

YEP showed me that international friendship does not always begin with fluent communication. Sometimes it begins with curiosity. Sometimes with a smile.

Sometimes with a simple “Xin chào.”

The People Who Became Memories

Every journey has destinations. But it is usually the people who make us remember those destinations.

For me, my fellow Indian cadets, Vietnamese cadets, coordinators and Delegation Leaders became an unforgettable part of the Vietnam experience.

What started with introductions became conversations. Conversations became friendships.

And friendships became memories.

“Kuch log safar mein milte hain, but memories mein permanently reh jaate hain.”

Years later, I may not remember every schedule or every formal event. But I will remember the people I met, the conversations I had and the moments we shared.

What Did YEP Actually Change?

The biggest impact of YEP was not geographical. It was personal. I do not believe the programme changed who I was.

It polished me.

I was confident before. But Vietnam made that confidence more mature and purposeful. The experience taught me:

• Independence
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Discipline
• Teamwork
• Staying calm in unfamiliar situations
• Connecting with people despite differences

But perhaps the most important change was the way I began looking at my own country.

“Kabhi-kabhi apne ghar ki value samajhne ke liye thoda door jaana padta hai.”

Being away from India gave me a new perspective on India.

The values I had developed through NCC—discipline, teamwork, courage and responsibility—became my foundation throughout the international journey.

Coming Home With More Than Luggage

Eventually, the YEP journey came to an end.

The flight back to India was not the same as the flight to Vietnam. On the way there, I carried excitement and expectations. On the way back, I carried memories. 

Friendships.Lessons.Blessings.Gratitude.

“Samaan toh luggage mein tha, but asli safar toh memories mein tha.”

Returning home also made me realise how far I had travelled.

Not just geographically. Personally.

My journey had started with a Class 9 girl watching a parade on television.

Now I was returning as someone who had represented India on an international platform.

When I finally came home, my mother’s happiness made the achievement feel even more meaningful. She looked at me with pride and reminded me that the journey had begun with a small dream, but it had been supported by the prayers and sacrifices of the entire family.

That moment made me realise that every achievement carries the love of the people who believed in us before the world noticed us.

From an NCC Cadet to a Youth Ambassador

Looking back, the most remarkable part of my story is not simply that I travelled to Vietnam. It is how unexpected the route was.

I wanted to go to Delhi.

NCC took me beyond Delhi.

I wanted to represent Uttarakhand.

I got the opportunity to represent India.

I dreamt of RDC.

That journey eventually opened the door to YEP.

And a cadet who once had limited knowledge about the opportunities NCC could offer became a Youth Ambassador of India.

My journey proves that sometimes the destination you imagine is only the beginning.

What Future NCC Cadets Can Learn From My Journey

My experience carries a message for every cadet who thinks that opportunities like YEP, RDC or international exposure are meant only for a select few.

They are not.

But opportunities rarely arrive without preparation.

My journey highlights a few lessons.

1. Start before you feel ready

You don't need to know everything before beginning. I myself had limited exposure to the larger opportunities available through NCC. But I joined, participated and kept learning.

2. Don't let your background define your limits

Coming from a rural background presented challenges. But it did not decide my final destination. Your starting point and your destination do not have to look alike.

3. Work on your communication

Fear of English was one of the challenges I had to overcome.

Communication is particularly important when participating in selections, group discussions, interviews and international programmes.

You don't need perfect English. You need the confidence to communicate, learn and improve.

4. Take every camp seriously

Every camp may not seem important while you are attending it.

But camps build discipline, teamwork, adaptability and confidence—the same qualities that become useful during larger opportunities.

5. Don't be afraid of unexpected opportunities

My journey itself is proof. The route did not go exactly as planned.

The UK reserve list eventually led to Vietnam. Sometimes an unexpected turn is actually the beginning of your best chapter.

6. Learn how to stand out

Being talented is not always enough. You also need to communicate your strengths.

You need to show why you deserve an opportunity. Sometimes, you have to confidently tell the selectors:

“Select me. Give me the opportunity. I may not know everything today, but I have the determination to learn everything tomorrow.”

That mindset can make a difference.

The Journey Continues

When I look back, I realise that Vietnam was never the destination I had imagined. I had once dreamt of reaching Delhi; NCC took me much beyond it.

Vietnam gave me more than international exposure. It gave me confidence, friendships, memories and a new perspective on India.

My NCC Journey is still continuing, with new goals and dreams ahead.

And if there is one thing I have learnt, it is this:

You never know where a dream will take you.

So, to every cadet—keep learning, keep trying and keep believing.

I started by dreaming of Delhi.
I ended up representing India in Vietnam.
And this is only the beginning.

Jai Hind 😊