AUN Summer Camp 2026 students experience Vietnamese culture at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City
On the afternoon of July 20, 2026, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City hosted a Cultural Exchange Program to welcome students from the AUN Summer Camp 2026, providing a unique cultural experience of Viet Nam for international students from member universities of the ASEAN University Network (AUN). This is a meaningful activity to enhance academic exchange, cultural connectivity, and promote friendship among students from countries in the region.
Attending the program were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan – Director of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Director of the Viet Nam - ASEAN Cultural Exchange Center; Dr. Le Thi Sinh Hien – Deputy Director of the Faculty of Oriental Studies; Dr. Hoang Thi Trang – Deputy Director of the External Relations and Science Management Department; along with lecturers and students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and international students participating in AUN Summer Camp 2026.
Opening the program was a series of unique artistic performances by students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, introducing typical values of Vietnamese and Asian culture. The graceful and solemn images of the Ngu Than Ao Dai, the duet by Chinese Studies students, and the vibrant dance performance by Indian Studies students left many beautiful impressions on the international students.
The highlight of the program was the traditional calligraphy performance and the introduction of Thuy Tinh Chau Chess. The fluid strokes of calligraphy helped international students feel the beauty of the art of writing and the depth of Eastern culture. In addition, Thuy Tinh Chau Chess – a Vietnamese cultural creative product that combines the quintessence of Eastern and Western chess types with the image of the 12 zodiac animals – brought a fresh experience, contributing to spreading Vietnamese cultural values through exchange and interaction.
Following the artistic program, the international student delegation visited and experienced 07 booths introducing the training majors of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, including Arabic Studies, Indian Studies, Indonesian Studies, Japanese Studies, Thai Studies, Chinese Studies, and Australian Studies. Each booth was designed with its own distinct characteristics, introducing language, culture, costumes, cuisine, folk games, and typical academic activities of each major. This was an opportunity for international students to learn about the Faculty's educational environment, while also creating opportunities for exchange and connection between Vietnamese students and friends from many countries.
Experiential activities such as calligraphy, Henna painting, and playing Thuy Tinh Chau Chess attracted the enthusiastic participation of many international students, contributing to creating a multicultural exchange space where everyone has the opportunity to share their identity and discover the cultural values of countries in the region.
Within the framework of the program, the Organizing Committee presented souvenirs imbued with Vietnamese identity, including Southern Vietnamese scarves and Thuy Tinh Chau Chess sets, to the members of the AUN Summer Camp 2026 delegation. These gifts not only preserved beautiful memories of the trip but also conveyed a message of hospitality, the spirit of sharing, and the bond between ASEAN countries.
Closing the program was a photo session in a friendly atmosphere, marking another meaningful international cooperation activity of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The program not only contributed to promoting the image of a traditional, friendly, and dynamic Viet Nam but also introduced the training strengths of the Faculty of Oriental Studies in the fields of area studies and Asian studies, thereby promoting the internationalization of education, strengthening cooperation within the ASEAN University Network, and contributing to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4, SDG 10, SDG 16, and SDG 17 through education, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation.
Thanks to our partners: Ngu Than Ao Dai designer Nam Tuyen, Calligrapher Le Duy Diem Kieu and WatF company, Mr. Dao Hieu Dong - co-founder of Thuy Tinh Chau Chess
