Attending the program, on behalf of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in Hanoi were Ms. Urawadee Sriphiromya – Ambassador; Ms. Wanpiti Champasri – Counselor; and Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh – Assistant for Political, Diplomatic and Economic Affairs. In addition, the program included the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Morragotwong Phumplab, lecturer at Thammasat University, along with a delegation of students from the Southeast Asian Studies program.
Representing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan – Rector of the University, along with representatives from various departments and the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Urawadee Sriphiromya emphasized the special significance of 2026 – marking 50 years of friendship, cooperation, and comprehensive development between Vietnam and Thailand. She stated that the traditional Thai New Year is not only an important occasion for the Thai people but also an opportunity to share and spread cultural values to international friends. Organizing the program at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is particularly meaningful for Thai students studying far from home, and contributes to strengthening connections and understanding between the two countries. She also expressed her hope that, through the program, each participant would experience the unique aspects of Thai culture right here in Vietnam, thereby promoting people-to-people exchanges and educational cooperation between the two countries.
Representing the University, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan highly appreciated the cooperative relationship between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and its Thai partners over the past period. The Rector stated that the University has had many exchange and working activities with educational institutions in Thailand and is aiming to build joint academic cooperation programs and centers. Rector Hoang Anh Tuan also emphasized that the University wishes to strengthen connections with Thai organizations and businesses, thereby expanding learning, internship, and employment opportunities for students, and contributing to promoting increasingly substantive and effective bilateral cooperation.
Based on the discussions, both sides highly appreciated the cooperative relationship between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and its Thai partners, and affirmed the potential for expanding cooperation in the fields of training and research. Both sides also shared the direction of promoting the development of joint academic cooperation programs and centers in the future. In addition, both sides agreed to strengthen connections with Thai organizations and businesses to create more opportunities for learning, internships, and employment for students.
Ambassador Urawadee Sriphiromya and Professor Hoang Anh Tuan participated in the Buddha bathing ceremony - a traditional ritual during the Songkran festival in Thailand.
The traditional Thai New Year, Songkran, usually celebrated in mid-April each year, is one of the most important and distinctive festivals in Thailand. The festival not only traditionally welcomes the new year but also includes rituals of splashing water for good luck, expressing wishes for purification, fortune, and peace. Today, Songkran is also an opportunity to promote culture, strengthen exchanges, and connect communities, especially in international settings such as educational institutions. The Vietnam-Thailand cultural exchange program provides an opportunity for lecturers and students from both countries to learn about and experience unique cultural values, contributing to strengthening friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand.
