KF Friends Networking 2025 - A Vietnam-Korea academic bridge in the new era
- 25/08/2025
On August 22, at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), the International Scientific Conference KF Friends Networking 2025 officially opened with the theme “Cooperation in Korean Language Education and Korean Studies in Vietnam in the new era.” The event gathered a large number of scholars and lecturers from more than 32 universities and colleges across the country.
The event was co-organized by the Korea Foundation (KF), the Korean Research Association of Vietnam (KRAV), and HUTECH, aiming to promote academic exchange, share project ideas, and contribute to building a solid foundation of cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as culture, language, history, and economy.
The event was co-organized by the Korea Foundation (KF), the Korean Research Association of Vietnam (KRAV), and HUTECH, aiming to promote academic exchange, share project ideas, and contribute to building a solid foundation of cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as culture, language, history, and economy.
The event was co-organized by KF, KRAV, and HUTECH
Mr. Woo Hyoung Min, Chief Representative of the Korea Foundation (KF) in Hanoi, acknowledged the tireless efforts of researchers and educators of Korean Studies in Vietnam. He expressed hope that the conference would take place in an open and dynamic spirit, thereby strengthening collegial ties and delivering practical outcomes.
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Mr. Woo Hyoung Min acknowledged the tireless efforts of Korean Studies scholars in Vietnam
Attending the conference, Mr. Kwon Tae Han, Acting Consul General of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that this was an opportunity for Vietnam and Korea to jointly build a strong foundation in social sciences, humanities, and cultural cooperation, further deepening the friendship between the two nations. He affirmed: “Korean has become the bridge for our cooperation. Education is the key to the future. I believe that from today’s conference, many new opportunities for collaboration between Vietnam and Korea will continue to unfold.”
Mr. Kwon Tae Han emphasized the conference as a chance to build a strong foundation for Vietnam-Korea cooperation
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Lam, Vice Chairman of HUTECH Board of Directors, warmly welcomed the delegates. He stressed that the conference was not only a prestigious academic forum for knowledge exchange but also a strategic bridge helping Vietnam and Korea align their educational and research directions in the new context. From there, it would continue to contribute effectively to improving educational quality and promoting bilateral cultural and academic exchange.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Lam emphasized the positive contributions of the conference
In his keynote address on “Linkages in Korean Studies and Korean Language Education,” Dr. Luu Tuan Anh, President of KRAV, offered many practical proposals. He noted that in the rapidly changing social context and with the strong development of technology and artificial intelligence (AI), Korean Studies education and training in Vietnam must innovate to meet the multidisciplinary and multi-professional needs of society.
According to Dr. Luu Tuan Anh, education should not stop at teaching basic theories but must be connected with research, consulting, practical engagement, and providing solutions to societal issues. This requires updating curricula, innovating subjects, expanding knowledge, and enhancing practical application. He highlighted the importance of linkages among universities to develop advanced training curricula that provide students with diverse and modern learning and research opportunities.
According to Dr. Luu Tuan Anh, education should not stop at teaching basic theories but must be connected with research, consulting, practical engagement, and providing solutions to societal issues. This requires updating curricula, innovating subjects, expanding knowledge, and enhancing practical application. He highlighted the importance of linkages among universities to develop advanced training curricula that provide students with diverse and modern learning and research opportunities.
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Dr. Luu Tuan Anh delivered his presentation on “Linkages in Korean Studies and Korean Language Education”
Representing the Northern region, Dr. Tran Thi Huong, Dean of the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture, University of Languages and International Studies - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, presented on “Korean Studies in Vietnam: Development Process and Future Directions.” She pointed out the increasing expansion of Korean Studies programs, particularly their strong growth in general education. According to her, for Korean Studies to develop sustainably, there must be consistent coordination and well-targeted investment from both Vietnam and Korea.
Dr. Tran Thi Huong presented on “Korean Studies in Vietnam: Development Process and Future Directions”
Representing the Central region, Dr. Tran Thi Lan Anh, Dean of the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture, University of Foreign Language Studies - University of Danang, shared that the Faculty is currently implementing a wide variety of programs. These programs have significantly contributed to meeting the growing demand for Korean-speaking human resources. However, she also pointed out challenges related to faculty, learning resources, and opportunities for international cooperation. In the coming period, the Faculty aims to expand majors and develop more practice-oriented curricula.
Dr. Tran Thi Lan Anh shared about the current state of Korean language teaching at the University of Foreign Language Studies - University of Danang
Representing the Southern region, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai, Dean of the Faculty of Korean Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, analyzed the challenges and opportunities in Korean language teaching today. She also highlighted future directions such as strengthening interdisciplinary education, expanding into specialized fields, promoting applied Korean (translation and interpretating, tourism, commerce, IT), and building stronger connections with businesses and international organizations.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai analyzed the challenges and opportunities in Korean language teaching today
Representing HUTECH, Dr. Bui Phan Anh Thu, Dean of the Faculty of Korean Studies, presented the Faculty’s academic orientation, which focuses on integrating technology and AI to modernize curricula, enhance teaching quality, and expand academic cooperation.
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Representing HUTECH, Dr. Bui Phan Anh Thu presented the Faculty’s academic orientation
As part of the conference, three regional discussion sessions were chaired by Dr. Pham Thi Ngoc (Hanoi University), Dr. Nguyen Pham Thu Huong (Dalat University), and Dr. Than Thi Thuy Hien (University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City). Representatives from many universities across the three regions presented reports on timely and highly academic topics such as challenges and opportunities for Korean Studies in the AI era, trends in curriculum design, facilities for Korean language teaching, and prospects for Korean Studies research in the context of globalization.
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As part of the conference, three regional discussion sessions were held
Particularly, in the plenary session, Mr. Woo Hyoung Min and Dr. Luu Tuan Anh offered in-depth assessments. Both affirmed that the conference truly reflected the current state of Korean Studies education and training in Vietnam. This, in turn, helps shape important directions for future research, teaching, and academic cooperation.
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In the plenary session, Mr. Woo Hyoung Min and Dr. Luu Tuan Anh offered in-depth assessments
In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trung Kien, Vice President of HUTECH, emphasized that this conference was a clear testament to the effectiveness of Vietnam-Korea educational cooperation, demonstrating the importance of innovation in the digital transformation era. “If we do not change, we will fall behind. This is the right time to promote education linked to practice, apply technology, and address social issues.”
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trung Kien emphasized that the conference was a clear testament to the effectiveness of Vietnam-Korea educational cooperation
The conference is a cultural, educational, and research bridge between Vietnam and Korea
The KF Friends Networking 2025 conference was not only an academic forum but also a bridge of culture, education, and research between Vietnam and Korea, opening new opportunities for cooperation in education, research, and the application of knowledge to practice. With an open spirit and long-term vision, the event continues to contribute positively to enhancing the quality of Korean Studies training in Vietnam while deepening the friendship between the two nations.
News: Hồng Loan
Photo: Công Định - Tiến Đạt
Communication Center
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