The visit took place at a time when the University was looking forward to celebrating its 80th anniversary as a Faculty of Literature and its 30th anniversary as a University of Social Sciences and Humanities. This was an important opportunity for the University to expand strategic cooperation directions, strengthen academic connections, and promote new collaborative initiatives with universities in the region.
During the meeting, Vice Rector Dang Hong Son gave an overview of the strengths and achievements in training and research in the field of social sciences and humanities of the University, emphasizing the potential for cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Guangxi Normal University, a long-standing partner with close geographical, cultural, and academic ties.
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Guangxi Normal University signed a cooperation agreement in 1999, and to date, the two institutions have effectively implemented many activities together: student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, organizing conferences, and publishing international papers on history, culture, archaeology, and Vietnamese language teaching. Based on this, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Hong Son expressed his desire for the two institutions to strengthen and expand interdisciplinary research cooperation, exchange experts, and implement joint activities in accordance with the spirit of friendly cooperation set forth by the high-level leaders of the two countries.
On behalf of Guangxi Normal University, Professor Tran Quoc Bao extended congratulations to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Faculty of Literature's tradition and the 30th anniversary of the University's founding. He provided a brief overview of Guangxi Normal University, highlighting its status as one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in China. Currently, the University has 22 colleges and a training system from bachelor's to doctoral levels. Literature, History, and Marxism-Leninism are traditional strengths of the University, attracting a large number of Vietnamese graduate and international students each year.
He added that Guangxi Normal University is preparing to open a major in Vietnamese Language and has requested the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to support by sending lecturers to teach there. The university also plans to implement a one-year student exchange program to Vietnam and a one-year internship program for postgraduate students, as well as participate in short-term specialized courses on ASEAN.
Representatives from the specialized units of both universities also outlined specific directions for cooperation. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh – Head of the Department of Linguistics, Vietnamese Language and Vietnamese Studies – emphasized several areas of cooperation: joint training programs, sending experts to attend international conferences, and joint research and publication.
Ms. Do Nguyen Duong, representing the International Cooperation Office, proposed the initiative to establish an ASEAN-China University Alliance to connect educational institutions in the region, promote extensive cooperation in scientific research, academic publishing, and information resource sharing. This network would not only expand opportunities for bilateral cooperation but also contribute to creating a common academic space where universities in ASEAN and China can interact, exchange ideas, and jointly implement impactful research programs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the leaders of the two universities agreed on several areas of cooperation that need to be implemented immediately in 2026 and the following years. Both sides agreed to maintain close and regular contact through relevant professional channels, and to promptly concretize the proposals with practical cooperation programs that will bring long-term value to the academic communities of both sides.
