On April 15, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (USSH-VNUHCM) hosted a collaborative meeting and international academic seminar titled “Enhancing Economic and Knowledge Connectivity between Vietnam, India, and ASEAN in a Transforming Regional Landscape” at its Saigon campus. Co-organized by the Faculty of Cultural Studies and the Faculty of Japanese Studies – Oriental Studies, the event aimed to promote academic exchange and build a foundation for long-term cooperation with Manipur University (India).

Laying the Foundation for Long-Term Academic Cooperation

At the welcoming reception, Associate Professor Luu Van Quyet, Vice President of USSH-VNUHCM, highlighted the university’s 70-year history and its strong foundation in the social sciences and humanities. Noting the shared development goals between the two institutions, he expressed optimism for quickly establishing comprehensive partnerships, particularly in research and higher education. He described the seminar as a vital first step in fostering mutual understanding and building deeper connections moving forward.

Associate Professor Luu Van Quyet proposes short-term faculty and student exchanges, mutual credit recognition, and collaborative publications in both institutions' academic journals - Photo by: Y NGUYEN

Manipur University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Naorem Lokendra Singh, emphasized education's role in bridging the societies, histories, and futures of South and Southeast Asia in response. Representing a historic educational hub in Northeast India, he envisions education going beyond mere knowledge transfer to actively connect the cultural, social, and historical values of the two regions. Professor Moirangthem Premjit Singh echoed this sentiment, stating: “Our partnership is not merely institutional; it symbolizes a regional vision where education truly serves as a bridge connecting societal, historical, and future values.”

Professor Naorem Lokendra Singh details the scope of Manipur University, highlighting its 47 postgraduate departments and its status as a key central university - Photo by: Y NGUYEN

Associate Professor Phan Anh Tu, Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Studies, outlined the department's research expertise in Indian culture, religion, ethnicity, and history. Building on this, he proposed expanding two-way academic exchanges. This initiative would include sending USSH-VNUHCM students to experience the local cultural environment at Manipur University, bringing Indian scholars to Vietnam for guest lectures, and working toward mutual credit recognition and international joint publications.

Associate Professor Phan Anh Tu highlights opportunities for students to participate in short-term internships and field research programs in India - Photo by: Y NGUYEN

Expanding Knowledge Connectivity and Regional Cooperation

Following the reception, representatives from both universities opened the international academic seminar. The event focused on three strategic pillars: promoting academic exchange, advancing interdisciplinary cultural-heritage research, and forging sustainable economic and educational ties. The program featured three in-depth presentations spanning historical heritage, modern governance, and current economic practices.

Opening the session, Professor Naorem Lokendra Singh presented on "Indirect Colonial Rule in Myanmar and Northeast India." By analyzing the British division of autonomous and directly ruled areas, he explained the deep-rooted origins of ethnic and ideological conflicts that persist today.

Professor Naorem Lokendra Singh analyzes the historical context and border governance policies - Photo by: Y NGUYEN

Next, Professor Moirangthem Premjit Singh, Registrar of Manipur University, discussed “Institutional Governance and International Cooperation in Higher Education: A Focus on Academic Diplomacy between South and Southeast Asia.” He argued that modern universities have evolved from mere training centers into vital catalysts for regional integration. By fostering cultural and intellectual exchange, these institutions now serve as bastions of diplomacy and innovation. The collaboration between Manipur University and USSH-VNUHCM, he noted, perfectly illustrates this regional vision, with knowledge acting as the thread that binds the past, present, and future.

Professor Moirangthem Premjit Singh presents on the role of academic diplomacy in interregional connectivity - Photo by: HANH NGUYEN

Shifting to economic ties, Associate Professor Loitongbam Bishwanjit Singh from Manipur University's Department of South East Asian Studies presented on "India's 'Act East' Policy and Fostering Vietnam-India Economic Connectivity." Citing bilateral trade reaching over USD 16.46 billion in 2025, he urged Vietnamese businesses to invest in Northeast India, highlighting its rapid infrastructure growth connecting it to ASEAN. To facilitate this, he recommended stepping up regional diplomacy, launching direct flights between Manipur and major Vietnamese cities, and establishing dedicated Northeast India desks at diplomatic missions. He concluded that stronger bilateral ties offer both economic benefits and increased regional stability.

Associate Professor Loitongbam Bishwanjit Singh proposes solutions to enhance bilateral economic cooperation - Photo by: HANH NGUYEN

The Q&A session covered postgraduate scholarship opportunities, Hindi language instruction in Vietnam, and the potential for mutual credit recognition. Participants also explored deep cultural and archaeological connections, particularly the striking similarities between artifact patterns at the Giong Noi site (Ben Tre) and ancient Indian antiquities. These insights pave the way for joint research into the historical influence of Indian culture on Vietnam.

Participants discuss the archaeological and cultural similarities between Vietnam and India - Photo by: Y NGUYEN

An attendee gifts a copy of The Tale of Luc Van Tien to Professor Naorem Lokendra Singh, opening up possibilities for a collaborative project to translate this classic literary work into Hindi - Photo by: Y NGUYEN

The meeting concluded with practical proposals, including increasing short-term faculty exchanges, co-publishing international academic papers, and promoting direct flights between Northeast India and Vietnam. These shared initiatives not only strengthen mutual friendship but also lay the groundwork for future formal cooperation agreements, ultimately contributing to the region's sustainable development.

Manipur University is a major public university in Northeast India, renowned for its strengths in the social sciences and area studies. It houses departments such as South East Asian Studies, History, Economics, and Political Science. Its notable research areas include India-ASEAN relations, regional economic development, and the history and culture of Northeast India.

Y NGUYEN - HANH NGUYEN
Translated by: My Phung