Dynamic and good at foreign languages, many young people were selected by the Youth Union and Students Association for exchange programs or cultural and academic exchange activities with foreign students. Some even actively seek for projects organized by non-governmental organizations to improve their foreign languages. In these events, they were also “messengers” to promote Vietnamese customs as well as traditional cultures to international friends.

Culture makes people understand each other better

In mid -June, the student exchange program between Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and Can Tho University took place excitingly with many attractive activities. In addition to sharing learning experiences and student movement activities, 11 Thai officials and students also visited historical and cultural relics in Can Tho city, listened to Southern amateur music and learned Vietnamese... Ida Irada, a student in Psychology at Chiang Mai University, said quite clearly in Vietnamese: “Xin chào” (Hello), “Rất vui khi làm quen với bạn” (Nice to meet you). Irada was excited to hear a Dong Thap chantey song and made herself the Be Sen key-ring, a handmade product considered the logo of Dong Thap province tourism. “I was guided by students of Can Tho University to visit historical and cultural relics, as well as briefed on socio-economic characteristics to  understand more about this city,”  said Irada.

Students of Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and Can Tho University in an art exchange activity.

For English Education student Vo Tan Phat – one of the volunteers guiding the delegation – these activities were not only a chance to practice foreign languages, to study Thai language and popular Thai songs, but also an opportunity to learn about student movement in their country. Thus, the two peoples could further tighten solidarity and friendship.

According to Nguyen Thanh Duy, deputy secretary of Can Tho University’s Youth Union, the university has sent many students to student exchange programs, cultural exchange activities and AUN Youth Leadership Forum (ASEAN University Network). In September, the school will continue to send 20 students to the exchange program with Chiang Mai University. This is an opportunity for young people to expand their knowledge and improve their integration skills.

Dynamic integration

To improve integration skills, the Youth Union and Students Association of many universities and colleges have facilitated their students' participation in cultural exchanges and volunteer programs of international student delegations. In mid -June, Nguyen Thi Mong Ngan, a student in Industrial Management at Can Tho Technology and Engineering University, took part in the Vietnam-Japan Festival 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City. She confided: “I introduced handmade products made of bamboo, folk cakes, traditional costumes to Japanese friends”. By participating in international student exchange activities, Ngan learned many useful skills such as speaking English fluently and working in teams, besides understanding more about cultural, social and economic characteristics of international friends.

Quoc Thai (Translated by Hanh Nhan)