Students from 5 countries participated in a summer course at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The course included participants from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi; the University of Zurich (Switzerland); Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia); the Royal University of Phnom Penh (Cambodia); Mandalay University (Myanmar); and Chiang Mai University (Thailand). The course's theme was "urban change," aiming to describe the transformation and development in Southeast Asia amidst rapid urbanization. The goal was to create an interdisciplinary, international discussion forum, combining theory and practice to clarify "urban change" in Vietnam and Southeast Asia in general. Simultaneously, the course familiarized participants with field research, sparked interest in ethnographic studies, and fostered academic discussion skills in English within a multilingual environment.

At the opening ceremony, Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) extended a warm welcome to the domestic and international students participating in this course. He also gave a presentation introducing the historical, political, economic, cultural, and social characteristics of Vietnam. Through this, he offered perspectives and viewpoints on the identity and image of Vietnam in the eyes of the international community.

Professor Pham Quang Minh giving a presentation.

Professor Pham Quang Minh presented commemorative gifts to two lecturers from the University of Zurich, Dr. Esther Horat and Associate Professor Annuska Derks.

According to the schedule, the course will last three weeks, starting on July 2nd. In the first week, participants will learn about urban change in Vietnam, key theories of urban change, and qualitative research methods. Specifically, through lectures from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Zurich, participants will be introduced to historical and contemporary perspectives on urban change, rural-to-urban migration, and the development of suburban areas. In the second and third weeks, participants will hone their ethnographic research skills through field surveys in areas around Hanoi and group assignments. Finally, in a two-day workshop, participants will present the results of their field research on urban change in Vietnam and make comparisons with their own countries.