A cosmetics corner at a downtown Seoul department store

Tran Ha-my, 26, now works at a branch of a Korean cosmetic company in Vietnam. In 2006, she completed a beauty course at a vocational school in Seoul at the invitation of the Seoul City government. Currently, she actively introduces the marketing strategies of Korea to increase sales in Vietnam. "The Korean language course I took along with the job training has been very helpful," Ha-my said.

She was invited to participate in a Seoul City program offering vocational education to young people of sister cities, which started in 2001. A total of 436 students from 12 cities have finished or are undergoing education as of 2010.

Seoul invited 21 graduates from Vietnam, Mongolia, Indonesia, Sudan and Kazakhstan who received training from 2005 to 2006 to return for more education.

The participants will receive refresher courses at the municipal Elim Vocational Training School, where they were educated four years ago, starting Monday through April 23.

They will learn the newest technologies and trends of their specialties - furniture design, beauty, Web master, auto repair and cooking.

They will also tour Seoul City, visit the nation's largest steelmaker POSCO and the automotive company Hyundai Motor, and travel to cultural sites in Busan City and Jeju Island.

"This program aims to make international contributions and to let the world know about Seoul's advanced technology and to offer new opportunities to the young adults of sister cities," a city official said. "We invited students who are successful in their own country to teach them the latest technologies and allow them the opportunity to experience the charm of Seoul."