Located in the west of Hoa Binh province, about 140 km from Hanoi, Mai Chau is a valley with its own attractive beauty of green nature, fresh air and the unique cultural identity of the Thai people. On the way to Mai Chau by car, teachers and students of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese stopped at Thung Khe Pass (also known as Da Trang Pass), where there is a towering limestone mountain and a strangely beautiful "snow-covered" road.
Next, international students and trainees can admire the majestic natural beauty when viewing the panoramic view of Mai Chau valley from above.
The destination of the internship and practical journey of teachers and students of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language is Ban Lac, Mai Chau, with the enthusiastic and warm welcome of the local people. The international students were extremely excited to enjoy the typical cuisine of the Northwest mountains and forests such as grilled skewers, grilled stream fish, cat cabbage, bamboo rice... as well as enjoy the beauty of nature, immerse themselves in the cultural activities of the local people during the tour of 8 Thai ethnic villages: Lac 1, Lac 2, Poom Coong, Na Phon, Na Thia, Ban Van, Ban Nhot, Thung Mai.
During the two days at Ban Lac tourist area, international students also had the opportunity to directly experience the unique cultural features of the Thai ethnic group, the costumes of Thai women, and the joyful dances and songs.
“The campfire night connecting five continents” is a highlight of the internship and practical program. Everyone was engrossed in the xoè dances imbued with the Northwest mountains and forests, the melodious sound of the Khen that echoed far away, and the rhythmic steps in the vibrant bamboo dance. Teachers and students of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language held hands around the flickering fire, danced and sang together in the warm atmosphere, connecting the feelings between countries. For many international students, this was the first time they had experienced such a unique community culture. And this will certainly be a beautiful memory, a deep, unforgettable impression in the hearts of every foreign student when coming to Mai Chau.
The next day, the journey continued with a visit to explore Go Lao waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Mai Chau valley.
The 2-day-1-night journey, although not short or long, was a truly impressive trip. This was not only an opportunity for international students from many countries around the world to explore and experience the beautiful natural scenery, unique cultural features, and community life of the ethnic people in the northern mountainous region, but also an opportunity to promote and introduce to international friends the image of the friendly, hospitable, and humane Vietnamese people.
The trip is also an opportunity to enhance exchanges and foster feelings between teachers and students as well as between international students studying at the Faculty. With the motto of “practical” Vietnamese studies, the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Language always emphasizes practice and reality in learning and teaching. Field trips like this give international students the opportunity to actively explore tourist attractions, interact with local people, learn about Vietnamese culture, improve their Vietnamese language skills, thereby fostering a love for Vietnamese language and culture.
