Within the framework of the Vietnam - Indonesia International Lecturers and Students Exchange Program “Academic Connection - Cultural Exchange”, alongside with academic activities, exchanges, and learning experiences with students of Thanh Do University, lecturers and students from Unipdu Jombang also participated in cultural and historical heritage discovery trips in Hanoi, which is not only brought cultural experiences for Indonesian friends but also offered Thadoers practical lessons on history, cultural interaction and national identity. This “outdoor classroom” helped Thadoers absorb practical knowledge in a vivid, multidimensional way while developing essential professional skills, especially for students of Vietnamese Studies and English Studies.

The “Hanoi Tour” begins

The group visited President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, and Bat Trang Ceramic Village. Accompanying Indonesian friends to explore these iconic landmarks allowed Thanh Do students to revisit cultural and historical knowledge more vividly and emotionally. Particularly, acting as “international tour guides”, introducing destinations in English to Indonesian lecturers and students, helped Thadoers strengthen their knowledge, improve communication skills, boost confidence, and develop professional skills in a truly intercultural environment. This is a valuable experience that no theoretical lesson can replace.

Lecturers and students from Unipdu Jombang and Thanh Do University are visiting President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

For students of English Studies (Tourism English) and Vietnamese Studies (Tourism Guiding), directly observing and listening to stories about each relic and architectural work helped consolidate their understanding of Vietnamese culture and history practically and profoundly. These foundational insights are crucial for building the confidence and professional demeanor of future tour guides. Lessons from books and classrooms were transformed into real experiences, helping Thadoers better understand the relationship between history, culture, and tourism and how to harmonize these elements in each journey.

The trip was also an opportunity to practice foreign languages in a real international environment. Acting as “international tour guides”, introducing destinations in English to Indonesian lecturers and students, enabled Thadoers to practice explaining, presenting, interacting, and handling situations directly at the sites. These are skills no exam or simulated lesson can fully provide. Active communication, quick language reflexes, and the ability to organize and lead a small tour are practical values that English Studies students need to meet professional requirements in the integration era.

Through the “Hanoi Tour” experience, accompanying lecturers and friends from Unipdu Jombang, Thadoers deepened their understanding of their role in promoting Vietnamese cultural values to international friends. By listening to questions and perspectives from Indonesian students, Thadoers were able to reflect on national cultural identity through the lens of international visitors. From this, they learned how to convey information more effectively, meaningfully, and appropriately to different audiences. This cultural exchange nurtures an international mindset, respect for multiculturalism, and the sense of responsibility of young people who aspire to bring the image of Vietnam to the world.

Thadoers “tour guides” lead the group through famous destinations in Hanoi

The cultural exploration journey with lecturers and students from Unipdu Jombang was not simply a field trip but truly a practical learning model where knowledge, skills, and international experience were connected seamlessly. For Thadoers, especially those studying English Studies and Vietnamese Studies, this is a valuable foundation to grow more confidently and be ready to become global citizens with a strong Vietnamese identity.

International exchange and student exchange programs hold special significance for Thadoers in the context of modern education and deep integration. Interacting, studying, and living with international students helps broaden global perspectives, familiarize students with cultural diversity, and shape open, flexible thinking. These experiences allow students to step beyond classroom knowledge and access new values of international education, thereby improving communication abilities, foreign language skills, and the capability to work in multicultural environments.

At the same time, these programs enrich the academic environment at Thanh Do University, promote innovation in teaching methods, and open new directions for collaboration with partner universities. Each student participating in international exchange programs becomes a cultural ambassador who helps spread the image of Thanh Do University students: confident, capable, and globally integrated Vietnamese youth.

Thanh Do University

Address: Km15, National Highway 32, Hoai Duc, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline: (+84) 934 078 668 - (+84) 243 386 1601

Website: https://thanhdo.edu.vn/ 

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