On the morning of April 23, Ho Chi Minh City Open University cooperated with the Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association to organize a scientific seminar "Southeast Asia - Aspects of interdisciplinary research". The Experts discussed the main contents on trends approaching when studying Southeast Asia; the teaching and training issue of Southeast Asia discipline in Ho Chi Minh City; the external affairs of Ho Chi Minh City with Southeast Asia countries in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic; some theoretical and practical issues about cultural identity in tourism development in Southeast Asia….

The seminar towards the 54th anniversary of the Establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - ASEAN (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2021), and to celebrate the 30th anniversary in training Southeast Asia discipline of Ho Chi Minh City Open University (1991 - 2021).

The program was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan - Chairman of Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association, Assoc. Prof. Dr Duong Van Huy - Head of Island Southeast Asia Research Department - Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Dr. Ngo Bich Thu - Head of Southeast Asian Studies, Ho Chi Minh City Open University.

During the workshop, there were 6 presentations presented by:

- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Van Huy (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies): Some theories approach when studying Southeast Asian.

- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan (Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association): The situation of teaching and training Southeast Asian discipline in Ho Chi Minh city.

- MSc. Tran Dinh Vu Hai (Deputy Head of Foreign Economics and Politics Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs): Foreign affairs of Ho Chi Minh City with Southeast Asian countries in the context of THE COVID-19 epidemic.

- MSc. Phan The Hien ( HCMC University of Economics and Finance): Some theoretical and practical issues on cultural identity in tourism development in Southeast Asia.

- MSc. Dang Thi Quoc Anh Dao (Ho Chi Minh City Open University): Subak system and Hita Karana Philosophy in Subak system of Bali people in Indonesia.

- Dr. Saraswathy (Former Chairman of Malaysia Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City): ASEAN community – opportunities and challenges ahead.

Researching some approaching theories when studying Southeast Asia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Van Huy, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies- Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences said, “Although the name Southeast Asia was quite late, domestic and foreign scholars acknowledge that this is an area with its own characteristics in terms of geography – ecological, historical – cultural, as well as in terms of modern strategy. Southeast Asia is a region where civilization appears early. In Southeast Asia, before the intrusion of Indian and Chinese culture, there existed an indigenous cultural tradition that took rice-paddy agriculture as the foundation with the effective support of the marine and has reached a fairly high level of development.”

For the teaching and training situation of Southeast Asia discipline, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairman of Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association shares: “Nowadays there are many universities training the disciplines equivalent to Southeast Asia in Ho Chi Minh city. However, Ho Chi Minh City Open University has been the only training education provider and issuing degree of Southeast Asia so far. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, the universities which can train quality human resources in this discipline, need to standardize the training program on Southeast Asia in the system of universities in Vietnam as well as ASEAN countries, they also offer the promotion policies for lecturers, scientists to research new issues about Southeast Asia, lecturers exchange policy, combination to plan the curriculum….

In addition to the above discussions and exchanges, the workshop also published the scientific yearbook with the ISBN index "Southeast Asia – Interdisciplinary research sectors" with 21 presentations from universities, colleges, institutes and research institutes in Vietnam. The articles focused on interdisciplinary research on Southeast Asia, its cultures and current issues. The yearbook is expected as a resource for research and learning about Southeast Asia with related issues./.