Exchange with Japanese Studies students in Hoi An: Memorable experiences

Monday - August 24, 2015 04:11

Sharing by student Tran Mai Huong - K58, Japanese Studies major, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities about the recent exchange trip with Japanese Studies students in Hoi An.

Giao lưu SV ngành Nhật Bản học tại Hội An: Những trải nghiệm đáng nhớ — Exchange with Japanese Studies students in Hoi An: Memorable experiences

From August 3 to August 10, 33 members of the Department of Japanese Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU participated in the program.Exchange of Japanese Studies students in Hoi An, in the chain5 years of Japanese Studies Student Exchange in Southeast Asiasponsored by the Toshiba Foundation. This year, the Hoi An exchange also saw the participation of students from the Faculty of Japanese Studies (National University of Singapore) and the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies (Phan Chau Trinh University). Members of the Department of Japanese Studies had a wonderful 10-day experience in Hoi An and Da Nang.

Delegates attending the Scientific Research Seminar/Photo: Le Kieu Anh

The exchange activities include two main contents: scientific research seminars and extracurricular activities. In Hoi An - a historical international trade exchange location of Vietnam, we had the opportunity to share our understanding and passion about issues surrounding the relationship between Vietnam, ASEAN and Japan in history and at present. Interwoven and interwoven in that big topic are many current issues, practical to the lives and concerns of today's youth. One of the topics that young people are most interested in is Japanese youth culture and its influence in Vietnam or Singapore.

When presenting the results of Japan's heritage conservation cooperation in Vietnam, VNU students introduced the student volunteer model at the Imperial Citadel, Hanoi. Phan Chau Trinh University students also shared their experiences with similar models when participating in tourism development in Hoi An. In addition, the speech of the National University of Singapore representative on the reconstruction efforts after the earthquake and tsunami in Okachi town, northeastern Japan, provided a multi-dimensional view from the experience of someone who has lived there for a long time.

The remaining days of the program are practical experiences through exploring interesting places in Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue such as: Hoi An ancient town, Thanh Ha pottery village, My Son temple relic, Cu Lao Cham, Lang Co, My Khe, Ba Na Hill, Ngu Hanh Son, Son Tra peninsula... Those are wonderful trips, not only enjoying the beautiful scenery of these famous places but we also gain valuable knowledge and understanding of the culture, history, and religion here.

Visit Thanh Ha village, Hoi An/Photo: Pham Hoang Hung

Those experiences made us wonder: what should we do to contribute to the development of Vietnam's tourism industry when the tourism conditions and potentials in the regions are always unique and promising. Above all, from the development experience of historical trading ports such as Hoi An, Pho Hien... we realized that, from the geopolitical advantage, it is time for our country to really "set sail" to the sea, integrating with the development of the region and the world, especially in the new period when the ASEAN Economic Community is built.

Finally, on behalf of the students in the delegation, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the teachers and students of Singapore National University as well as Phan Chau Trinh University, Hoi An City for participating and contributing to the success of the scientific research session. At the same time, I would like to express my gratitude to the valuable contributions of both expertise and facilities of the staff of the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation. Above all, I would like to sincerely thank the Toshiba Foundation for sponsoring us to have the opportunity to connect with friends, exchange knowledge and discover new things in this hospitable Central land.