International students of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies visit the Special National Relic - Cu Chi Tunnels

The Faculty of Vietnamese Studies is responsible for training human resources in the field of Vietnamese Studies and teaching Vietnamese to foreigners. Students studying at the Faculty not only learn knowledge in the lecture hall but also participate in field trips, exchanges, and practical experiences.

On April 12, 2023, the Faculty organized a field trip for 3rd-year students to the Special National Relic - Cu Chi Tunnels (Ho Chi Minh City), under the guidance of Dr. Tran Thi Mai Nhan, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies, and Dr. Nguyen Huynh Lam, Deputy Dean. This field trip and experience saw the participation of 30 students of various nationalities: Russia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan.

During this trip, students had the opportunity to learn about the life, brave fighting spirit, and intelligence of the Vietnamese army and people during the years of war. The tunnels were built to serve as hiding places, weapon storage, living quarters, and treatment areas for wounded and sick soldiers of the Vietnamese army and people during the war. The international students, visiting the site for the first time, were very surprised and interested in the secret bunkers, spike pits, improvised weapons, Hoang Cam stoves, and many other artifacts. One of the most exciting activities for them here was visiting and experiencing the secret bunkers, tunnels several dozen meters long, and the living spaces inside the tunnels.

After visiting the Tunnels, the delegation went to offer incense at the Ben Duoc Martyrs Memorial Temple – a structure built to commemorate the great contributions of compatriots and soldiers who fought and sacrificed in the Saigon – Cho Lon – Gia Dinh area during the two resistance wars against French and American invaders.

These field trips, experiences, internships, and practical sessions have helped international students blur the boundaries of culture and language while studying at the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies; helping them become more connected and close to each other. Especially, this is an opportunity for students to practice their Vietnamese communication skills - a difficult but very interesting language that they have chosen to entrust their future dreams to.

(Ngoc Han)