On the evening of August 15, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, the Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music coordinated to organize the Vietnam – Indonesia friendship cultural exchange program, celebrating the 81st Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia (August 17, 1945 – August 17, 2026). The program contributes to strengthening people-to-people exchange, promoting mutual understanding, and deepening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia.
Attending the program, from the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan – Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, President of the Vietnam – ASEAN Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City (VAFA); Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan – Head of the Oriental Studies major, Head of the Indonesian Studies section; along with lecturers, graduate students of Asian Studies, and students from majors within the Faculty of Oriental Studies, including students of the Indonesian Studies major.
The program was a unique cultural exchange space with the participation of artists, delegates, and youth from Vietnam and Indonesia. The performances and exchange activities, rich in the cultural identity of both nations, vividly demonstrated the role of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy in connecting communities, enhancing understanding, and fostering friendship between the people of the two countries.
Notably, graduate students of Asian Studies and students from various majors of the Faculty of Oriental Studies actively participated in exchange activities; students of the Indonesian Studies major directly participated in performances at the program. This was an opportunity for learners to apply their knowledge of language, culture, society, and regional studies in practice, while also enhancing their intercultural communication skills, foreign affairs capabilities, and experience in an international exchange environment.
The participation of lecturers, graduate students, and undergraduates also demonstrates the training orientation of the Faculty of Oriental Studies in bridging academic knowledge with practical experience, strengthening internationalization, and connecting learners with people-to-people diplomacy, cultural activities, and the ASEAN community.
For graduate students of Asian Studies, the program provided a practical space to observe and approach issues of cultural exchange, identity, intercultural relations, and regional cooperation. For students of other majors, this was also an opportunity to expand their understanding of Asian countries, form integration capabilities, and strengthen connections with diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations, and the international community in Ho Chi Minh City.
Through such activities, the Faculty of Oriental Studies continues to promote its role as an academic-cultural bridge, contributing to fostering Vietnam – Indonesia people-to-people exchange, enhancing understanding of ASEAN, and creating more experiential learning environments for learners at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
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