Faculty of Oriental Studies attends the 59th Anniversary of ASEAN: Promoting knowledge connection, culture, and regional cooperation
On the morning of August 7, 2026, at the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO), the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, attended the Meeting to celebrate the 59th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967 – August 8, 2026) organized by the Viet Nam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City (VAFA) in coordination with HUFO.
The program was attended by representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations, representatives of Consulates General of ASEAN countries, friendship organizations, universities, businesses, and numerous international partners, all affirming the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and development of the ASEAN Community. The Faculty of Oriental Studies was represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan – Dean, President of the Viet Nam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City; Dr. Le Thi Sinh Hien – Vice Dean, along with lecturers, researchers, and graduate students attending the program. The presence of the Faculty's leadership, lecturers, and graduate students at the event demonstrates the connection between training and scientific research activities with people-to-people diplomacy and international cooperation, while also creating conditions for lecturers and students to access diplomatic practices, engage in academic exchanges, and connect with a network of partners in the ASEAN region.
During the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan delivered a welcoming speech in her capacity as President of the Viet Nam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City. The speech emphasized the role of people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening understanding, trust, and cohesion among ASEAN countries; while affirming that education, scientific research, cultural exchange, and academic cooperation are important drivers contributing to building a united, inclusive, innovative, and sustainably developed ASEAN Community.
Prior to the ceremony, delegates attended the workshop “pdf9.ai – Connecting Asian Digital Knowledge” shared by Mr. Le Vinh Thao, Co-founder of pdf9.ai in the Asian market. The workshop introduced trends in applying artificial intelligence in connecting and exploiting digital knowledge, opening up many opportunities for cooperation between education, businesses, public services, and organizations in the region. The shared content provided many new perspectives on digital transformation and the role of AI in promoting cooperation and developing shared knowledge resources of Asia.
A special highlight of the program was the cultural experience space featuring tea ceremony, calligraphy, and Glass Chess. The experience activities not only created a lively exchange space but also contributed to promoting Vietnamese cultural values, encouraging strategic thinking, creativity, and intercultural dialogue – values that are consistent with the spirit of solidarity and cooperation of ASEAN. The ceremony took place in a solemn, warm, and friendly atmosphere with many meaningful activities such as art performances and exchanges between diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations, universities, and businesses, contributing to strengthening the friendship between Viet Nam and ASEAN countries.
The program continues to affirm the role of Ho Chi Minh City as one of the leading localities in people-to-people diplomacy, promoting international cooperation and cultural exchange in the region. For the Faculty of Oriental Studies, the event is an important opportunity to expand the cooperation network with diplomatic agencies, universities, and international organizations; while creating a practical environment for lecturers, researchers, and graduate students to enhance their understanding of ASEAN through exchange, academic, and cultural activities. This is also a testament to the Faculty's training orientation in linking academic knowledge with regional practice, contributing to training human resources with integration capabilities and a deep understanding of Asia.
Through active participation in the activities of HUFO and the Viet Nam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, the Faculty of Oriental Studies continues to affirm its pioneering role in regional studies, promoting academic diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges, and the promotion of Vietnamese culture, contributing practically to the goal of building a cohesive, resilient, innovative, and people-oriented ASEAN Community.
