More than just a meeting for new students, the program was designed as a journey to discover the Orient in miniature, where knowledge, culture, international exchange, businesses, alumni, and generations of learners meet, connect, and walk together.
Seven colors – one Oriental Studies community
Opening the program was “Colors of the East” with 7 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 gathered in the spirit of exploration, connection, and respect for diversity – the values that the Faculty of Oriental Studies wishes to cultivate with students throughout their university journey.
Currently, the Faculty offers two majors: Oriental Studies and Japanese Studies; in which the Oriental Studies major consists of 6 specializations: Arabic Studies, Indian Studies, Indonesian Studies, Thai Studies, Chinese Studies, and Australian Studies. This diversity creates an interdisciplinary, intercultural learning environment rich in opportunities for international experience and exchange.
International greetings for freshmen
A special highlight of the program was the presence of numerous representatives from diplomatic agencies, consulates, and international guests, including representatives from India, Thailand, Australia, China, Indonesia, Lebanon, and Japan, along with representatives of friendship organizations, businesses, partners, former leaders, and alumni of the Faculty.
In particular, representatives of diplomatic agencies and international guests sent greetings to the freshmen in their native languages. These multilingual greetings created a culturally colorful moment, while also helping students feel, from the very first day, a characteristic of Oriental Studies: learning about a country not only through books but also through language, people, culture, and practical connections.
In her welcoming speech, 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 freshmen that university admission is just the beginning. The coming years are a time for each student to accumulate knowledge, improve their foreign language skills, actively seek experiences, develop intercultural communication skills, and build necessary connections for the future. Regardless of the chosen specialization, all students belong to a common community – the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
Accompanying students from the very first steps
An important content of the program was the introduction of the academic advising team for the 2026–2027 academic year, including the Faculty Board, heads of majors, heads of specialization sections, academic advisor lecturers, and specialists in charge of student affairs.
This is the team that will directly accompany students throughout their training 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 lecturers and the Oriental Studies community by your side.
The program also featured two inspirational sharing sessions: “From passion to startup – 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, expert in External Relations – International Trade.
From practical stories, the university baggage was expanded from receiving knowledge to the spirit of daring to start, actively connecting, creating value, and preparing for integration capacity.
Scholarships – materialized companionship
One of the meaningful highlights of the program was the scholarship awarding activity with the joint efforts 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 of the specializations.
The companionship of diplomatic agencies was continued through many 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 “Indian Studies Future” scholarships to 8 students; the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City awarded scholarships to 24 Thai Studies students.
In addition, businesses also actively supported learners. 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 of 68 scholarships for students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies from diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations, social funds, and businesses. Rather than focusing on material value, each scholarship is a recognition, encouragement, and support for students to study, experience, expand international exchanges, and prepare for the future.
“Message to My Future Self”
A beautiful moment of reflection in the program was the “Message to My Future Self” activity.
Representing students starting a new journey with outstanding achievements, Dang Minh Dung – valedictorian of the Japanese Studies major and valedictorian of the Faculty of Oriental Studies for the class of 2026, sent a message to herself in the future.
From a personal message, the program also posed a question to all freshmen: Four years from now, when looking back at today, who 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 those who came before to the new members who have just entered the common home of Oriental Studies.
Respectfully thank you to our companions
The success of the program was created by the combined efforts of many agencies, organizations, businesses, alumni, artisans, and friends of the Faculty.
The Faculty of Oriental Studies would like to express our sincere gratitude for 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, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; the Ho Chi Minh City Education and Training Association; 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, as well as calligraphy artists, alumni, businesses, partners, and friends who have shown affection for the Faculty and students.
That companionship not only contributed to making a colorful freshman welcome program but more importantly, it is gradually opening up opportunities for learners in terms of study, scholarships, cultural experiences, international exchange, professional connection, and community service.
The Faculty of Oriental Studies treasures those sentiments and valuable resources, and looks forward to continuing to connect with 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 diplomacy and international integration.
The “Discover the Orient” journey has officially begun
The program closed with a group photo, but the “Discover the Orient” journey of the class of 2026 has just truly begun.
After the program, freshmen continued to interact in their respective major spaces, meeting lecturers and upperclassmen, learning about the training program, academic activities, student activities, and the experiences waiting ahead.
Welcome to the 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.
Discover the Orient – Connect the world – Create the future.
