Korean Literature – a bridge of cultural exchange between Vietnam and Korea

Attending the exchange session, on behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there were Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thanh Nam (Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the University Council), representatives of the Department of Cooperation and Development, Faculty of Oriental Studies and a large number of staff, lecturers, students and students of the Korean Studies major of the University.
Sharing information about the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thanh Nam emphasized: With 80 years of tradition, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is currently the leading unit in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities. In addition to its training mission, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU also focuses on scientific research. The school has always been a pioneer in the field of social sciences and humanities in Vietnam. We are proud to be the first Korean studies training institution in Vietnam, established in 1993, just one year after Vietnam and Korea officially established diplomatic relations. Since then, the Korean studies department has achieved many achievements in the field of teaching and researching Korean studies, including literature. Research projects on Korean literature, translation of literary works, organization of Korean literature seminars as well as Korean-Vietnamese translation and interpretation seminars have been carried out by us over the years.
Through literature and cinema, learning about the culture and language of a country will become much more vivid and easier. In recent years, especially after the event of a Korean female author receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature, interest in Korean literature has increased significantly. Many people who were not interested in Korean literature before are now curious about this culture, and have read many Korean literary works, not only by author Hangang. And literary exchange plays an important role in strengthening the friendly relationship between the two countries. Expressing his emotion at the warm and friendly welcome of the school's Board of Directors, lecturers and students, Professor Bang Hyun-suk shared: For the Korean people, especially intellectuals, Vietnam is a close friend, closely associated with them for a long time in history. We cannot forget the time nearly 120 years ago when the book "History of Vietnam's Lost Country" by patriot Phan Boi Chau was widely distributed and became a valuable "bedside" document for the Korean patriotic intellectual class, an important reference document on the path to national salvation and liberation. I always remind young Koreans to remember this meaningful event.
In particular, since Vietnam and Korea officially established diplomatic relations (in 1992), exchanges between the two countries have expanded in many fields. Compared to other fields, Vietnam - Korea literary exchanges started later but have also achieved many results. Exactly 30 years ago, the "Association of Young Authors Who Want to Learn About Vietnam" of Korea paved the way for Vietnam - Korea literary exchanges. On that path of development, the Vietnam Writers Association and the Asian Literature Network have established the "Vietnam - Korea Peace Literature Club" with the aim of expanding and further tightening this good relationship. Many activities such as translation, publishing, production of publications, organizing seminars... between the two countries have been and are being carried out periodically. Through that, not only literary researchers and creators but also the majority of people in the two countries have learned about the famous cultural works of the two countries. Up to now, in Vietnam, the number of Korean literary works translated and published has exceeded one hundred books. Korean literature is no longer strange to Vietnamese people. At the same time, famous Vietnamese literary works have also been translated and published in Korea.
But literary exchange does not stop at introducing each other's literary works but also includes other practical activities through diverse programs such as seminars, joint research projects, sharing of literature-related resources; through exchanges between researchers, writers, translators... And our exchange program today is also one of the programs in that series of activities.
Listening to Associate Professor Dr. Bui Thanh Nam's sharing about the achievements of the Korean Studies Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor Bang Hyun-suk Sang expressed his admiration and emphasized: "I really hope and believe that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will be the leading unit in Vietnam to train excellent students to become a bridge of literature and culture between the two countries of Vietnam and Korea."
In the romantic autumn atmosphere of Hanoi, in a space filled with poetry, the delegates attending the exchange enjoyed a musical performance of two students from the Department of Korean Studies. The famous song “Diem Xua” by musician Trinh Cong Son (performed in both Vietnamese and Korean).
The exchange was also an opportunity for VNU-USSH lecturers and students to directly meet and share with Korean writers and translators about many famous works that have been translated into Vietnamese, about writing trends and reading tastes of Korean youth, and opportunities for cooperation in training and research on literature and culture between the two countries.   Professor Bang Hyun-suk is a famous author in Korea, currently a Professor of the Department of Literary Creation, Chungang University; former Vice President of Chungang University; Editor-in-Chief of Asia History and Humanity Magazine, Director of Asia Publishing House. Some of his works have been translated and published in Vietnam, such as: Time to Eat Lobster, The Form of Existence, Sewol, etc.
He has made important contributions and is considered a pioneer in the Vietnam-Korea literary exchange. As co-chairman of the Vietnam-Korea Peace Literature Club, he has proposed many initiatives in organizing activities to enhance cultural and literary exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
Korean writers share openly with VNU-USSH students      
Students of Korean Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies confidently share and communicate in Korean with Korean writers.      
At the end of the exchange, Professor Bang Hyun-suk and Korean writers signed and gave books to the delegates and students.