Experience Vietnamese Culture at IBADAY! Student-Led Cultural Exchange Event Held(Saturday,August 29)

On August 29, 2026, Ibaraki University hosted the “Vietnam Cultural Exchange Event” as part of IBADAY at the Mito Campus. The event welcomed participants of all ages, including high school students, families with children, and attendees of public lectures, providing them with an enjoyable opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture and daily life.

This event was organized as part of the course International Collaborative Learning (Vietnam) offered by the Center for Global Engagement at Ibaraki University. Through a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project, students at Ibaraki University and Hai Phong University in Vietnam engage in collaborative learning while connecting online across borders. Under the guidance of faculty members at both universities, students work together to plan and organize cultural exchange activities, including Japanese culture events for secondary school students in Hai Phong and Vietnamese culture events for secondary school students and local residents in Ibaraki Prefecture. The event served as a showcase of the outcomes of this international collaboration.

One of the highlights of the event was the Ao Dai Experience Corner, where participants had the opportunity to try on Vietnam’s traditional national costume. In addition to helping visitors wear the colorful garments, student organizers introduced the history and cultural significance of the Ao Dai, as well as variations in style across regions and generations. Many participants enjoyed taking commemorative photographs and commented that wearing the Ao Dai made Vietnam feel much closer and more familiar.

The Vietnamese Language Workshop connected participants online with students from Hai Phong University. After learning basic greetings and self-introductions, participants took part in role-play activities with their Vietnamese counterparts. The session provided a fun and engaging way to learn the language while experiencing cross-cultural communication firsthand.

The Vietnam Tourist Destination Session featured introductory videos created by Hai Phong University students. In addition to famous destinations such as Ha Long Bay and Hoi An, the videos highlighted lesser-known places recommended by local students. Through these presentations, participants gained a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s rich cultural diversity and natural beauty.

In the Traditional Games Corner, visitors were introduced to games that have long been enjoyed by Vietnamese children. Participants of all ages joined in, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere throughout the venue.

The event also featured a Vietnamese Food Culture Presentation, where students introduced regional cuisines and eating habits from different parts of Vietnam. In addition to well-known dishes such as pho, participants learned about regional variations in flavors, ingredients, and dining customs, deepening their understanding of Vietnam’s diverse culinary traditions.

Following the event, participants shared positive feedback, including comments such as, “I learned many things about Vietnam for the first time,” “The students’ explanations were very clear and easy to understand,” “Talking with students in Vietnam was a memorable experience,” and “Our whole family enjoyed the event.”

The event also provided a valuable learning opportunity for the student organizers. Through international collaboration and interaction with local community members, they developed their planning, communication, and teamwork skills.

In preparation for the event, Ibaraki University students held numerous online meetings with their counterparts at Hai Phong University to design activities that would be both educational and enjoyable for participants. The event not only helped local residents become more familiar with Vietnam but also provided students with a meaningful opportunity to put their international collaborative learning into practice and showcase the results of their efforts.