On the morning of September 23, 2023, Ho Chi Minh City Open University, in collaboration with the Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, organized the 11th Southeast Asian Cultural Festival in 2023 at Võ Văn Tần campus in District 3. The event attracted more than 1500 learners, including learners from Indonesia from various private universities of the Surakarta Association.

This is an annual activity of Ho Chi Minh City Open University aimed at providing an environment for learners to explore the culture, interact with, and experience the cultural values of Southeast Asian countries. The event included activities such as traditional costume performances representing Southeast Asian nations, cultural exhibitions, and food booths from ASEAN cultural clubs and businesses. There were also cultural performances from ASEAN countries and international exchange activities with Indonesian learners.

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Agustaviano Sofjan, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City; Dr. Rina Arum Prastyanti - Vice President of Duta Bangsa Surakarta University, Indonesia; and Mr. Mufrodi - the leader of the Muslim Community in Vietnam.

Representing Ho Chi Minh City Open University were Ms. Lam Thi Anh Quyen - Deputy Head of the Sociology - Social Work - Southeast Asia Studies Faculty; Ms. Dang Nguyen Hoai Thuong - Deputy Secretary of the University's Youth Union, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee for the 11th Southeast Asian Cultural Festival in 2023; and Mr. Le Thanh Long - President of the University's Student Union.

Ms. Dang Nguyen Hoai Thuong - Deputy Secretary of the University's Youth Union and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, delivered the opening speech for the event: "The Southeast Asian Cultural Festival is a distinctive activity of Ho Chi Minh City Open University that brings the cultures of different nations closer to learners, both within and outside the university. Furthermore, the cultural exchange program helps learners gain a better understanding of Southeast Asian cultures, enhances friendly relationships, and promotes international exchange with learners from various universities in Indonesia."

Ms. Dang Nguyen Hoai Thuong - Deputy Secretary of the University's Youth Union and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee delivering the opening speech

The festival featured numerous lively activities, including a cultural exhibition showcasing the cultures of Southeast Asian nations and 38 food stalls from ASEAN cultural clubs and businesses. The highlight of the program was the Street Festival, which included street performances and traditional games from ASEAN countries such as Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

As part of the festival, the program also included an ASEAN Night with cultural performances from ASEAN countries presented by university clubs. There were cultural exchange activities with international learners from private universities in Indonesia.

Performances in the event

The Southeast Asian Cultural Festival, initially organized by the Southeast Asia Studies Faculty in 2004 under the name of Traditional Tet Festival of Southeast Asian Countries, has evolved over nearly 20 years, with changes in its name, content, and scale. It has become an annual event of Ho Chi Minh City Open University. The festival is a distinctive activity of the university that brings the cultures of different nations closer to learners, both within and outside the university. Through this cultural exchange event, learners are able to gain a better understanding of Southeast Asian cultures, strengthen friendly relationships, and promote international exchange with learners from various universities in Southeast Asia.

Some images from the program:

Written by: Thiên Ân

Pictures by: Khoa La