Published:  00:00 Friday - July 16, 2010

From July 15, students and staff from 80 high schools across Hanoi began to study ASEAN and its Charter to improve their knowledge of the grouping.

The programme was launched by the municipal Service of Education and Training as a step towards a united and prosperous Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

From now until the end of July, the pilot schools will focus on making plans and conducting information campaigns about the 10-member bloc.

Five best students in each school will represent their schools at a contest of speakers on ASEAN scheduled for late August.