International Cultural Festival 2018: Creativity and Diversity Reign Supreme

For weeks leading up to the main event, a festive atmosphere permeated the faculty's lecture halls, urging teachers and students to expedite preparations to create a truly meaningful cultural festival – one that is both vibrant and lively, reflecting life itself, and also creative, diverse, and tolerant…

The Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language is the unit with the most multicultural learning and research environment at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

As usual, the festival began in the afternoon when 14 stalls run by Vietnamese and international students lit their fires to cook and sell traditional dishes. The novelty and excellence of the stalls attracted a large number of visitors from all over – especially young people – making it difficult for the judges to choose the most outstanding ones. As the flavors of grains and rice wine began to take effect, the music started to rise, creating a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere, encouraging everyone to participate in traditional folk games. At that moment, the worries of daily life were truly left behind. Everyone took advantage of this precious time to savor the flavors of the festival. Those who cooked cooked, those who ate ate, those who danced, those who sang sang. It was refreshing and relaxing. When the players were tired and those who ate had had their fill, the festival transitioned to a fashion show by students from various countries. This was a new feature of this year's festival. It showcases the diversity of the festival while also reflecting the organizers' message of friendship and peace: "From many, we are one."

The international students truly had a warm and festive Christmas and New Year celebration.

True to the saying "The best for the last," the most captivating and interesting part of the festival was the cultural and artistic performance held in the evening. Besides the numerous teachers, students, and visitors from all over, the festival also welcomed many distinguished guests: Mr. Saadi Salama (Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam, former student of the Faculty from 1980-1984), Ms. Elena Vishnitskaia (Representative of the Russian Federation Agency for Cooperation Rossotrudnichestvo in Vietnam), Mr. Nguyen Luong Giang (State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Xuan Huy (Deputy Director of the Institute of Linguistics, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences). Representing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa (Vice Rector), Prof. Inagaki Tsutomu (visiting professor of the University), along with many leaders from various departments and units within the University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thien Nam (Head of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language)

Mr. Saadi Salama (Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam, former student of the Faculty, class of 1980-1984)

Associate Professor Tran Thi Minh Hoa presents gifts to the students.

In his opening remarks at the festival, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thien Nam (Head of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language) stated that "the 2018 International Cultural Festival aims to celebrate the richness and diversity of cultures around the world and, through that, promote understanding, trust, and cooperation for mutual development among all of us - ambassadors of different cultures."

According to Mr. Saadi Salama (Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam), he is always proud "to have been a student of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language" and "although I attend the Faculty's international cultural festival every year, I always feel it's new and exciting"...

Students from different countries showcased their national traditional costumes.

Associate Professor Tran Thi Minh Hoa (Vice Rector of the University) expressed her delight at the development of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, affirming that the faculty and students of the Faculty always deserve to be a bridge connecting culture and language between Vietnam and the world. Vice Rector Tran Thi Minh Hoa, on behalf of the University, presented Christmas and New Year gifts to international and Vietnamese students.

As initially expected, Vietnamese and international students provided the audience with a unique cultural experience. The performances showcased not only a rich variety of genres (singing, dancing, and choreography) but also captivating content. For example, the dance performances...The Goddess of the Upper Mountains,Water Melody Opening Song, danceKalinlcaor folk songsHappy New Year,In the cherry blossom gardenThe performances showcased the unique traditional cultural nuances of Vietnam, China, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries.Rice drum,Floating weeds and drifting clouds,Oh, spring!This also demonstrates the rapid integration of international students into the Vietnamese cultural environment through the magical bridging role of the Vietnamese language.

Even after the gathering ended, those who stayed and those who left were still lingering. They felt happy and fulfilled having experienced the wonderful values ​​that culture brings to people. If you want to experience a similar feeling, please come join us on this day next year.