FACULTY OF ORIENTAL STUDIES VISITS AND CONDUCTS PRACTICAL STUDY ON VIET NAM'S SEAS AND ISLANDS AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY

On the morning of October 5, 2026, in Khanh Hoa, the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, in coordination with the Viet Nam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City and the Naval Academy, organized a specialized exchange and study program along with a field trip on Viet Nam's seas and islands.

The delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan – Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and President of the Viet Nam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City. Receiving and working with the delegation were Rear Admiral Nguyen Huu Thoan – Political Commissar of the Naval Academy, along with officers and lecturers of the Academy.

Within the framework of the program, the delegation offered incense at the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial, paid a courtesy visit to the Board of Directors of the Naval Academy; visited the Traditional Room, the Combat Simulation Training Center, and the Sailing Ship 286 – Le Quy Don; and attended a thematic session on Viet Nam's seas and islands, the security environment, and maritime cooperation in the region.

Speaking at the program, Rear Admiral Nguyen Huu Thoan shared the outstanding results of the Naval Academy in education – training, scientific research, integration, and defense diplomacy. In particular, the Academy has actively implemented many exchange and cooperation activities with the navies of ASEAN countries, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and building a peaceful, stable, and cooperative environment in the region.

During the thematic session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan delivered a presentation on international integration and the requirements for Vietnamese students in the new context. From the perspective of Oriental Studies and ASEAN Studies, the presentation emphasized the demands on the young generation in combining Vietnamese character – ASEAN mindset – foreign language proficiency – knowledge of law and international rules – technological capability – and cross-cultural cooperation skills. In this, having a correct awareness of seas and islands is not only linked to sovereignty and civic responsibility but also needs to be placed within the mindset of peace, cooperation, integration, and building the ASEAN Community.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan also emphasized the role of higher education institutions in bringing issues related to seas, islands, ASEAN, and international integration closer to students through training, research, experiential activities, and people-to-people diplomacy. This also serves as a foundation for strengthening the connection between the Faculty of Oriental Studies – the Naval Academy – and the Viet Nam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City in academic and youth education activities in the coming time.

For the Faculty of Oriental Studies, the field trip is an opportunity for lecturers, trainees, and students to access knowledge about seas and islands from an interdisciplinary perspective; linking knowledge of regional studies, international relations, and socio-culture with the practical reality of protecting sovereignty, cooperation, and regional integration.

At the working session, the parties also discussed several directions for future cooperation, focusing on education and propaganda about seas and islands; academic exchange; scientific research; application of science – technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in education – training; development of skills for learners; and enhancing youth exchange and community connection.

The program contributes to raising awareness, fostering love for the seas and islands, and the responsibility of the young generation; while simultaneously opening up practical cooperation directions between the units in education, research, people-to-people diplomacy, and promoting the spirit of peace, friendship, and cooperation within the ASEAN Community.