On the afternoon of August 17, 2026, at room C103 (Saigon campus), students of Japanese Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City had a cultural exchange with a delegation of students from the Faculty of Modern Sociology, Kyoto Sangyo University (Japan).

Attending the exchange, representing Kyoto Sangyo University were Professor Kato Atsufumi and 18 students; representing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were MA. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao, MA. Tran Bao Ngoc, and 20 students of Japanese Studies.

The exchange included many meaningful activities, including:

Groups of students from Kyoto Sangyo University presented their survey results, sharing their observations and feelings about the lifestyle, customs, and culture of the people of Ha Tinh in particular and Northern Vietnam in general. This was the result of field research conducted by the Japanese students in Ha Tinh province. The presentations revolved around 4 interesting topics:

1.     Love and marriage

2.     Seafood production and circulation

3.     Coping with heat and dietary habits

4.     Comparing school education in Vietnam and Japan

In response to the Japanese students' presentation, the students of Japanese Studies introduced the daily life in Southern Vietnam, covering two topics:

1.     Lifestyle and coffee culture of young people in the South

2.     Southern culinary culture

After the presentations, students from both universities discussed and compared the similarities and differences in culture and lifestyle between the North and South of Vietnam from the perspectives of Japanese and Vietnamese students, thereby contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and broadening the cross-cultural perspective for students of both sides.

The exchange was an opportunity for students of both universities to practice and improve their language skills, as well as to approach field research methods directly and gain a deeper understanding of the regional cultural diversity of Vietnam through the perspectives of international students.

The Faculty of Oriental Studies would like to express our gratitude to Professor Kato Atsufumi and all students of Kyoto Sangyo University for participating in this meaningful exchange activity.

Japanese Studies Department