More than just an initial orientation meeting, the program was designed as a journey to discover a miniature Orient, where knowledge, culture, international exchange, businesses, alumni, and generations of students meet, connect, and accompany one another.
Seven colors – one Oriental Studies community
The program opened with “Oriental Colors,” featuring seven cultural and artistic performances by students majoring in Thai Studies, Australian Studies, Arabic Studies, Indonesian Studies, Japanese Studies, Chinese Studies, and Indian Studies.
Seven different cultural colors converge in a spirit of discovery, connection, and respect for diversity – values that the Faculty of Oriental Studies aims to cultivate with students throughout their university journey.
Currently, the Faculty offers two undergraduate majors: Oriental Studies and Japanese Studies; in which the Oriental Studies major includes 6 concentrations: Arabic Studies, Indian Studies, Indonesian Studies, Thai Studies, Chinese Studies, and Australian Studies. This diversity creates an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural learning environment rich in opportunities for experience and international exchange.
International greetings for freshmen
A special highlight of the program was the presence of numerous representatives from diplomatic missions, consulates, and international guests, including representatives from India, Thailand, Australia, China, Indonesia, Lebanon, and Japan, alongside representatives from friendship organizations, businesses, partners, former leaders, and alumni of the Faculty.
Notably, representatives from diplomatic agencies and international guests sent their well-wishes to the freshmen in their own national languages. These multilingual greetings created a moment rich in cultural color while helping students feel one of the hallmarks of Oriental Studies from the very first day: understanding a country not only through books but also through language, people, culture, and practical connections.
In her welcoming remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan – Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, expressed her gratitude to the diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations, businesses, partners, and generations of leaders, lecturers, and alumni who have always cared for, supported, and accompanied the Faculty.
At the same time, the Dean reminded the freshmen that university admission is only the beginning. The years ahead are a time for each student to accumulate knowledge, improve language skills, proactively gain experience, develop cross-cultural communication capabilities, and build necessary connections for the future. Regardless of their chosen concentration, they all belong to one common community – the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
Accompanying students from the very first steps
An important part of the program was the introduction of the academic advising team for the 2026–2027 academic year, consisting of the Faculty Board, heads of majors, heads of concentration groups, academic advisor lecturers, and staff in charge of student affairs.
This team will directly accompany students throughout their academic program, providing guidance on learning, scientific research, student activities, and the process of adapting to the university environment. Through this, the Faculty sends a message to freshmen: on the four-year journey ahead, you will always have your lecturers and the Oriental Studies community by your side.
The program also featured two inspirational sharing sessions: “From Passion to Entrepreneurship – Dare to Start, Dare to Create Value” by Mr. Doan Minh Tai, actor and Founder of La Sams Chain; and “Integration Baggage – Connecting the Future” by Mr. Vo Thanh Dang, an expert in Foreign Affairs – International Trade.
From these practical stories, university preparation was expanded from merely receiving knowledge to having the spirit to dare to start, proactively connect, create value, and prepare for integration capacity.
Scholarships – materialized companionship
One of the meaningful highlights of the program was the scholarship awarding activity with the joint support of diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations, management agencies, social funds, and businesses.
Through the connection and mobilization of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) and the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the Quy Nhan Fund, founded by Mr. Vo Thanh Dang, awarded scholarships to 9 students, including the two valedictorians of the Japanese Studies and Oriental Studies majors, along with student representatives from various concentrations.
The companionship of diplomatic agencies was continued through various scholarship programs for students. The Consulate General of China in Ho Chi Minh City awarded study encouragement scholarships to 12 students; the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City awarded “Future of Indian Studies” scholarships to 8 students; and the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City awarded scholarships to 24 Thai Studies students.
In addition, businesses have also actively accompanied the students. HAGA OUD awarded 10 scholarships and Oud Vietnam awarded 5 scholarships to Arabic Studies students, contributing to strengthening the connection between the training program, businesses, and professional practice.
In total, the program recorded the companionship through 68 scholarships for students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies from diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations, social funds, and businesses. Beyond material value, each scholarship serves as recognition, encouragement, and support for students to learn, gain experience, expand international exchange, and prepare their future baggage.
“Message to My Future Self”
A beautiful moment of reflection in the program was the “Message to My Future Self” activity.
Representing students starting this new journey with outstanding achievements, Dang Minh Dung – valedictorian in the Japanese Studies major and valedictorian of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, class of 2026, sent a message to herself in the future.
From a personal message, the program also opened up a question for all freshmen: Four years from now, when looking back at today, what kind of person do you hope to have become?
The return and sharing of Ms. Nguyen Hoang Thanh Ngoc – an alumna of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, continued to build a bridge between generations. Her sharing and welcome gifts for representatives of the class of 2026 carried the affection of predecessors sent to the new members who have just entered the common roof of Oriental Studies.
Respectfully thanking our companions
The success of the program was created by the collective effort of many agencies, organizations, businesses, alumni, artisans, and friends of the Faculty.
The Faculty of Oriental Studies respectfully thanks the presence, support, and valuable companionship of the Consulates General and diplomatic missions of India, Thailand, Australia, China, Indonesia, and Lebanon; international guests and scholars; the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO); the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; the Ho Chi Minh City Association for Education and Training; the Vietnam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City; the Quy Nhan Fund; Diep Truong Phat Company; La Sams; Due Tam Tra Cultural Space; Thiet Kien Tao Production – Trading – Service Co., Ltd.; HAGA OUD; Oud Vietnam, along with calligraphy artisans, alumni, businesses, partners, and friends who have dedicated their affection to the Faculty and its students.
This companionship not only contributed to making the welcome program for freshmen colorful but, more importantly, is step-by-step expanding opportunities for students in learning, scholarships, cultural experience, international exchange, professional connection, and community service.
The Faculty of Oriental Studies cherishes these precious affections and resources, and wishes to continue connecting diplomatic agencies, organizations, businesses, alumni, and partners on the journey of building an educational environment that links knowledge with practice, and regional research with people-to-people exchange and international integration.
The “Discovering the Orient” journey officially begins
The program closed with a group photo, but the “Discovering the Orient” journey for the class of 2026 has truly just begun.
After the program, freshmen continued to interact in concentration spaces, meet with lecturers and senior students, and learn about the curriculum, academic activities, student activities, and experience opportunities waiting ahead.
Welcome Freshmen Class of 2026 to the Faculty of Oriental Studies!
From today, you are not only starting a major, but also beginning a journey to discover a region, a culture, a larger world – and most importantly, to discover yourself.
Discovering the Orient – Connecting the World – Creating the Future.
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