Nearly two weeks of learning, cultural exploration, and hands-on experiences gave students from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) and their international peers new perspectives on Vietnam while creating lasting memories at Vietnam Summer Program 2026.
Held from July 26 to August 8, Vietnam Summer Program 2026 was organized by the Institute of International Education (I-HUTECH), bringing together HUTECH students and participants from four leading educational institutions around the world: Dania Academy (Denmark), Humber Polytechnic (Canada), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), and SEA.
Following the opening session, “Hej Vietnam: Let’s Summer Together,” the participants quickly got to know one another and embarked on a series of activities throughout the program. The “Intro to Business Case & Cultural” workshop sparked discussions on differences in behavior and communication between Vietnamese and European cultures while introducing students to real-world business cases. Building on these initial insights, the teams began developing ideas tailored to the characteristics of the local market.
Workshops on culture and business, together with group projects, helped students develop their critical thinking and English communication skills in an international environment
Vietnam became more familiar and accessible through the “Vietnamese Art & Culture” workshop, which explored fascinating stories about landmarks, cuisine, dining traditions, and places connected to important moments in Vietnamese history. These insights were brought to life through the “Cooking Class,” where participants worked together in the kitchen, interacted with one another, and experienced another aspect of Vietnamese culture through everyday life.
Another perspective was introduced through the workshop “Vietnam’s Economic Trajectory to 2026: Balancing Growth Policies, Emerging Challenges, and Future Prospects.” Dr. Nguyen Chi Thang, Director of the Institute of International Education, shared insights into Vietnam’s growth drivers, investment environment, market entry strategies, as well as the opportunities and challenges of doing business in the country.
Insights from Dr. Nguyen Chi Thang, Director of the Institute of International Education, offered new perspectives on opportunities and challenges in doing business
The field trips took students to Minh Long I Co., Ltd., the Yakult factory, COMO CO., LTD, and Green Viet, as well as destinations across the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau. At Minh Long I in particular, participants had the opportunity to make their own pottery by hand, creating unique pieces that reflected their individual creativity. Through these visits, students gained a closer look at corporate production and operations while experiencing Vietnam’s landscapes, daily life, and people firsthand.
The field trips gave students an authentic perspective on corporate production and operations
Drawing on their understanding of Vietnamese culture, behavior, and economic context gained throughout the program, students worked together to develop solutions tailored to the Vietnamese market. Working in multinational teams also challenged them to navigate differences in language, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving, requiring them to actively listen, express and defend their ideas, and find common ground with flexibility.
Fynn Hagemann, a student from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, shared: “I think cultural exchange is very important. It gives everyone the opportunity to discover different ways of thinking and doing things. We can learn from one another, share new perspectives, and see things in a different way.”
Fynn Hagemann (left) shared his thoughts on the importance of cross-cultural exchange
The Vietnam Summer Program 2026 came to a close with students presenting their ideas about Vietnamese culture to faculty members and international peers. Each project reflected a unique approach, highlighting the collaboration among team members and the application of what they had learned and observed throughout nearly two weeks together.

Bui Bang Linh (right) discusses business-related knowledge with faculty members from the Danish delegation
Bui Bang Linh, a second-year student majoring in Business Administration at I-HUTECH, shared: “Through activities and experiences like these, I have had the opportunity to learn more about responsibility and teamwork, and especially to communicate and connect with people from different countries around the world. I also hope that all of us can create many more wonderful memories together.”
Communication Center