On October 9, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), held a ceremony to confer an Honorary Doctorate upon Mr. Shin Choong Il, former Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, training, and the promotion of Vietnam–Korea friendship.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Kwon Dae Han, Acting Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City; Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, Rector of USSH; Dr. Phan Thanh Dinh, Vice Rector; university leaders; Mr. Shin’s family and friends; and faculty members and students.
Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan confers the Honorary Doctorate on Mr. Shin Choong Il – Photo: Ly Nguyen
In her address, Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan shared that this was the first Honorary Doctorate ever conferred by USSH - marking an important milestone in the university’s history. She emphasized that the title honors Mr. Shin’s distinguished contributions during his tenure, particularly his role in fostering cooperation between VNU-HCM and Korean universities, thereby strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries.
Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan delivering remarks at the ceremony – Photo: Ly Nguyen
Expressing his deep gratitude, Mr. Shin Choong Il said he was profoundly honored to receive the university’s first Honorary Doctorate—especially from the institution where he studied Vietnamese 16 years ago. He shared that this prestigious recognition was not for him alone but also for the collective efforts of former Korean Consuls General and diplomats who have worked tirelessly to nurture Vietnam–Korea relations over the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992.
Highlighting the importance of younger generations in continuing this legacy, he remarked: “Vietnam–Korea relations are the result of generations of dedication and collaboration; the future of this partnership depends greatly on the interaction, understanding, and cooperation of today’s students from both nations.”
Mr. Shin Choong Il expressed deep gratitude and honor upon receiving USSH’s first Honorary Doctorate – Photo: Ly Nguyen
Mr. Kwon Dae Han, Acting Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, extended his sincere congratulations to Mr. Shin Choong Il, who has made significant contributions to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Korea in the fields of education, culture, and people-to-people exchange. According to him, the honorary doctorate awarded by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, is a well-deserved recognition of the tireless dedication and heartfelt commitment of a diplomat deeply devoted to Vietnam.
Mr. Kwon Dae Han expressed his confidence that, with the solid foundation of cooperation built over generations, the Vietnam–Korea relationship will continue to flourish. He also conveyed his gratitude to Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan and the university community for organizing such a solemn, meaningful, and heartfelt ceremony.
Mr. Kwon Dae Han expressed confidence in the continued strengthening of Vietnam–Korea relations – Photo: Ly Nguyen
Representatives, colleagues, and students presented flowers to congratulate Mr. Shin Choong Il – Photo: Ly Nguyen
Mr. Shin Choong Il with USSH students after the ceremony – Photo: Ly Nguyen
During his tenure as Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Shin Choong Il introduced numerous initiatives to connect and support Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City in developing the semiconductor industry—one of Vietnam’s key strategic sectors. For the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mr. Shin Choong Il has been a long-time friend and companion, actively contributing to the development of Korean Studies in Vietnam and Vietnamese Studies in Korea, as well as promoting academic, cultural, and linguistic exchange programs between the two nations.
Earlier, on March 4, 2025, USSH recognized Mr. Shin Choong Il as a Distinguished Alumnus for his exceptional contributions to strengthening educational and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea.
These efforts have not only elevated the academic standing of Korean Studies in Vietnam but also deepened the enduring friendship and sustainable cooperation between the two nations.
During his tenure (2023–2025), Mr. Shin Choong Il, former Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, made remarkable contributions to strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and Korea in the fields of education, culture, and people-to-people diplomacy. He worked directly with more than ten universities in Ho Chi Minh City to expand academic collaboration, particularly in Korean language education and the development of Korean Studies in Vietnam. Through his efforts, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (VNU-HCM) and Kangwon National University (Korea) signed a cooperation agreement to launch a 2+2 joint training program in September 2023, contributing to the development of high-quality human resources for Vietnam’s strategic semiconductor industry.
Mr. Shin also actively supported USSH, VNU-HCM in various academic and cultural exchange initiatives, notably the “800 Years of Vietnam–Korea Cultural Exchange” Conference, the Korea–ASEAN Regional Connectivity Forum (2024), and multiple collaborative programs with Korean universities and enterprises. He played a key role in establishing and developing Korean Studies departments in southern Vietnam, building lecturer networks, and expanding Korean language education opportunities at both secondary and tertiary levels.
Additional photos from the ceremony – Photo: Ly Nguyen
LÝ NGUYÊN
TRANSLATED BY: TIÊN VŨ
