Introducing a new major: Southeast Asian Studies

About Southeast Asia

Since ancient times, in ancient Indian books, the Southeast Asian region has been mentioned with names such as Suvarnabhumi (Golden Land) or Suvarnadvipa (Golden Island), the Chinese called it Nanyang, similarly the Japanese used the word Nanyo (ie. Nanyang), the Arabs called it Zabag, and the Greeks and Romans from the middle of the 2nd century BC also called it Chryse (Golden Land). Thus, since ancient times, the world has known about the Southeast Asian cultural region. The reason for this is because Southeast Asia was an important link on the East-West trade route in the past. Southeast Asia is not only important in terms of geographical location, being a bridge on the East-West trade route, but also a place that provides many valuable products (such as gold, ivory, precious wood, camphor, cloves, pepper...) for inter-regional trade activities.

Today, Southeast Asia is a dynamic economic region in the world. In addition to rich countries such as Singapore and Brunei with the highest per capita income in the world, Southeast Asia also has Indonesia in the Group of 20 major economies (G20), Malaysia and Thailand are competitive economies, the Philippines and Vietnam are among the fastest growing economies in the world in the past few years as well as forecasts in the coming years (According to Bloomberg)... With a population of over 650 million people and a GDP of over 2,600 billion USD (2018), Southeast Asia's development potential is considered very large. The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that by 2020, this region will become the 5th largest economy in the world.

Not only does Southeast Asia have a rich cultural history and strong economic development potential, it is also increasingly united and connected, as demonstrated by the formation of the ASEAN Community since the end of 2015. The importance and attractiveness of this region has promoted the formation of many research and training centers on Southeast Asian studies around the world. Following that trend, the undergraduate program in Southeast Asian studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi has just been established. The program not only meets the labor market's demand for human resources with knowledge of Southeast Asian studies, but also certainly makes an important contribution to the integration and development of Vietnam in the ASEAN Community.

Training objectives

• Training bachelors in Southeast Asian Studies with general knowledge of social sciences and humanities along with systematic, in-depth, modern and updated knowledge of Southeast Asia in the fields of history, culture, economics, politics, international relations of the region, ASEAN organization and issues related to Vietnam.
• Graduates will be able to use English and a regional language such as Thai, Malay (national language of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore); at the same time, grasp the methodology of regional studies and international communication skills.

Foreign language and professional knowledge block

• Proficient in English
• Have comprehensive, systematic and modern knowledge about ASEAN bloc and ASEAN countries
• The main "areas" of knowledge include:

+ History and Culture of Southeast Asia and ASEAN countries

+ Economy, society, law, political institutions of ASEAN countries

+ Travel to ASEAN countries

+ ASEAN press and media

+ Basic native language (Choose Thai or Indonesian)

+ Related supplementary knowledge such as Introduction to Information Competency, Vietnamese Writing Practice, Introduction to International Relations, Introduction to Office Administration, Journalism, etc.

Job opportunities after graduation

Graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Southeast Asian Studies can work at the following places:

• The embassies of ASEAN countries in Vietnam.
• International organizations (UNDP, UNESCO, etc.), and foreign representative offices in Vietnam.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Southeast Asia Department, Diplomatic Academy, Vietnamese Embassies in ASEAN countries, ...).
• Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense.
• International Cooperation Departments of Ministries and Agencies in Vietnam.
• Foreign travel companies (especially those from ASEAN countries) and Vietnamese travel companies.
• Universities offer courses on ASEAN, Southeast Asian culture, and so on.
• Research institutes (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Institute of World Economics and Politics, etc.).
• Radio and television stations, news agencies, newspapers, etc. related to ASEAN.
• Multinational businesses and companies in ASEAN countries.
• Vietnamese companies, corporations, groups, and businesses.

With abundant job opportunities, Southeast Asian Studies will offer students more career choices and adaptability after graduation.