On the morning of October 8, at 9:30 a.m. (Malaysia time), The webinar "Language Learning and Teaching Practices 2025: Nusantara Discourse – Regional Language and Culture: Malaysia-Vietnam Perspectives" took place in a hybrid format.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan introduced the topic “Insights on Cultural Anthropology and Cross-culture Comparisons within ASEAN” emphasizing the role of anthropological education, heritage, and cultural diplomacy in connecting the region, especially through the vision of the younger generation.
The program was hosted by Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) in collaboration with the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Research – University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNUHCM, and the Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City.
Delegates participating in the events
The program was attended by Dr. Zuraina Binti Ali, Head of the Department of Applied Linguistics; Dr. Jurgen Martin Burkhardt, visiting lecturer at the University of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Research at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNUHCM; Chairwoman of the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Firdauz Othman, Consul General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Dao Hieu Dong, Co-founder of the "Thuy Tinh Chau" chess; and over 100 lecturers, researchers, PhD students, graduate students, and students from UMPSA and the Vietnam - Southeast Asia Studies Program (CVSEAS), Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Research, VNUHCM participating in person and online.
The speakers shared diverse academic perspectives on the linguistic and cultural characteristics of Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Southeast Asian region in general:
- Dr. Jurgen Martin Burkhardt presented on the cultural characteristics of the Barawan region (Malaysia), raising many issues related to regional cultural exchange.
- Mr. Firdauz Othman focused on analyzing the similarities and differences in customs, cuisine, and costumes between Vietnam and Malaysia, emphasizing the importance of intercultural understanding in education and people-to-people diplomacy.
- Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan introduced the topic “Insights on Cultural Anthropology and Cross-culture Comparisons within ASEAN” emphasizing the role of anthropological education, heritage, and cultural diplomacy in connecting the region, especially through the vision of the younger generation.
- Mr. Dao Hieu Dong presented on the symbolic origins of the 12 zodiac animals in Vietnamese folklore and introduced the Thuy Tinh Chau chess – a creative combination of art, education, and Vietnamese cultural identity.
In addition to academic presentations, the program also featured cultural exchange performances that reflected the identities of both Vietnamese and Malaysian students, including folk dance performances and traditional poetry readings, which contributed to an enhanced understanding and friendship between the students of the two countries.
The webinar affirmed the important role of the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Research in general and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular in representing the development of diplomatic relations between ASEAN countries, while connecting and spreading cultural values between Vietnam and Malaysia.
The program's Organizing Committee would like to thank Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan for attending and actively contributing to the forum, and simultaneously acknowledging the participation of the Malaysian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Organizing Committee expressed its wish to continue coordinating with the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Research and the Vietnam - Southeast Asia Studies Program (CVSEAS) in many upcoming international exchange, research, and training events, contributing to promoting Vietnam - Malaysia academic and cultural cooperation in the context of an increasingly connected ASEAN region.
Mr. Firdauz Othman focused on analyzing the similarities and differences in customs, cuisine, and costumes between Vietnam and Malaysia, emphasizing the importance of intercultural understanding in education and people-to-people diplomacy.
Mr. Dao Hieu Dong presented on the symbolic origins of the 12 zodiac animals in Vietnamese folklore and introduced the Thuy Tinh Chau chess – a creative combination of art, education, and Vietnamese cultural identity.
Cultural exchange performances
