Korean literature – a bridge for cultural exchange between Vietnam and Korea.

Attending the exchange session, on behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thanh Nam (Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the University Council), representatives from the Department of Cooperation and Development, the Faculty of Oriental Studies, and a large number of staff, lecturers, students, and trainees of the Korean Studies major of the University.
Sharing information about the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thanh Nam emphasized: With an 80-year tradition, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is currently a leading institution in the field of social sciences and humanities. Besides its training mission, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, also places great emphasis on scientific research. The university has always been a leader in the field of social sciences and humanities in Vietnam. We are proud to be the first institution to offer Korean Studies 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 successes in teaching and research on Korean studies, including literature. We have conducted numerous research projects on Korean literature, translated literary works, organized Korean literature conferences, and held Korean-Vietnamese translation and interpretation conferences over the years.
Through literature and film, learning about a country's culture and language becomes much more vivid and easier. In recent years, especially after the Korean author received the Nobel Prize in Literature, interest in Korean literature has increased significantly. Many people who were previously uninterested in Korean literature are now curious about it and have sought out and read many Korean literary works, not only by author Hangang. Literary exchange plays a crucial role in strengthening friendly relations between the two countries. Expressing his emotion at the warm and heartfelt welcome from the university's leadership, faculty, and students, Professor Bang Hyun-suk shared: "For the Korean people, especially the intellectuals, Vietnam is a close friend, bound by a long history. We cannot forget the milestone nearly 120 years ago when the book 'History of Vietnam's Loss of Independence' by the patriot Phan Boi Chau was widely disseminated and became a valuable 'bedside' document for patriotic Korean intellectuals, an important reference for the path to national salvation and liberation. I always remind young Koreans to remember this significant event."
In particular, since Vietnam and South Korea officially established diplomatic relations (in 1992), exchanges between the two countries have expanded in many fields. Compared to other areas, literary exchanges between Vietnam and South Korea started later but have also achieved considerable success. Exactly 30 years ago, the "Association of Young Authors Wanting to Learn About Vietnam" in South Korea paved the way for Vietnamese-Korean literary exchanges. On this path of development, the Vietnam Writers Association and the Asian Literature Network have proceeded to establish the "Vietnam-Korea Peace Literature Club" with the aim of expanding and further strengthening this good relationship. Many activities such as translation, publishing, production of publications, and organizing seminars between the two countries have been and are being carried out regularly. Through these activities, not only literary researchers and writers but also a large number of people in both countries have become aware of the famous cultural works of both nations. To date, in Vietnam, the number of translated and published Korean literary works has exceeded one hundred. Korean literature is no longer unfamiliar to Vietnamese people. At the same time, famous Vietnamese literary works have also been translated and published in Korea.
But literary exchange is not just about introducing each other's literary works; it also includes other practical activities through diverse programs such as seminars, joint research projects, and sharing of literary-related resources; through exchanges between researchers, writers, translators, etc. And our exchange program today is one of those activities.
Listening to Associate Professor 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 sincerely hope and believe that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will be a leading institution in Vietnam in training outstanding students who will become a bridge in literature and culture between Vietnam and Korea."
In the incredibly romantic autumn atmosphere of Hanoi, amidst a space filled with poetry and literature, the delegates attending the exchange enjoyed a musical performance by two students from the Korean Studies Department. They performed the famous song "Diem Xua" by composer Trinh Cong Son (in both Vietnamese and Korean).
The exchange also provided 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 the creative trends and reading tastes of young Koreans, and opportunities for cooperation in training and research in literature and culture between the two countries.   Professor Bang Hyun-suk is a renowned author in South Korea, currently a Professor in the Creative Writing Department at Chungang University; former Vice President of Chungang University; Editor-in-Chief of Asia History and Humanity magazine, and Director of Asia Publishing House. Several of his works have been translated and published in Vietnam, notably: The Time to Eat Lobster, The Form of Existence, Sewol, etc.
He made significant contributions and is considered a pioneer in Vietnamese-Korean literary exchange. As co-chairman of the Vietnam-Korea Peace Literature Club, he proposed many initiatives to organize activities aimed at strengthening cultural and literary exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
Korean writers openly share their thoughts with VNU-USSH students.      
Students majoring in Korean Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, confidently shared and interacted in Korean with Korean writers.      
To conclude the exchange, Professor Bang Hyun-suk and the Korean writers signed autographs and presented books to the attendees and students.