As part of the Public University Outbound Mobility Programme 2025, a group of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) students took part in a two-week hybrid international programme in Vietnam. Hosted by Van Lang University (VLU) and Ho Chi Minh University of Education (HCMUE), the experience combined a week-long visit to Ho Chi Minh City (4–10 May 2025) with a follow-up virtual component (19–25 May 2025). The programme brought together academic exchange, cultural immersion, and community engagement to broaden global awareness and build cross-cultural connections.

Upon arrival in Vietnam, participants settled in and received a briefing on the itinerary and expectations. The first day was intentionally kept light to help students adjust to the local environment and pace.

Serving as activity coordinators on the ground taught us the importance of planning ahead, managing time effectively, and working closely with the committee and organisers. The hands-on experience laid a solid foundation for the week to come.

The second day began with a visit to Bitexco Financial Tower, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most recognisable landmarks. This skyscraper reflects the country’s rapid economic growth and contemporary architectural vision. Students later explored the Café Apartment, a creative reuse of an old residential block that now houses vibrant, locally owned cafés. It was a strong example of how urban spaces can be reimagined to support both entrepreneurship and creativity.

At the Ho Chi Minh Monument, students gained a deeper understanding of the leader’s legacy and how national identity is embedded in public memory. In the evening, the group visited Crescent Lake and Starlight Bridge, two well-designed public spaces that showed how urban planning can blend leisure, beauty, and function in a city landscape.

The following morning was spent at Saigon Psychub, a mental wellness centre with a holistic approach to counselling. In a dialogue session titled “Psychology Perspectives: An Interactive Dialogue of Saigon Psychub”, Mr. Hong An Nguyen shared therapeutic models widely practised in Vietnam, including community-based care and cultural sensitivity in mental health. Students toured the facility and discussed the similarities and contrasts between psychological services in Vietnam and Malaysia.

Later that day, the group visited the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Surrounded by greenery and exotic wildlife, the visit was a refreshing change of pace and a chance for students to engage informally with one another in a more relaxed setting.

A cultural visit to Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (HCMUE) followed. Students were welcomed with lively performances and participated in a forum titled “Celebrating Diversity, Strengthening Unity: Malaysian–Vietnamese Perspectives.” The forum, followed by group discussions, encouraged meaningful conversations about cultural identity and inclusivity in education. A campus tour gave students a glimpse of daily life at HCMUE before the visit concluded with a simple yet memorable farewell ceremony.

The experience reinforced the idea that cultural differences are not barriers but opportunities to connect and learn from one another. Direct interaction with HCMUE students reminded us of the value of empathy, openness, and mutual respect.

In the afternoon, the group travelled to Touching Soul Center, where founder Dr. Nhat Nguyen led a walk-through of the facility and shared its mission. Later at Tami Coffee & Chay, Dr. Nguyen conducted a discussion on contemporary psychological practices in Vietnam, including behavioural, humanistic, and cognitive approaches. He also emphasised how mental health knowledge could be applied in everyday life, especially in managing emotions, dealing with pressure, and strengthening interpersonal relationships. The session sparked thoughtful questions and discussion among participants.

That evening, students visited the Fine Arts Museum to view artworks and historical pieces that reflect Vietnam’s culture, spirituality, and wartime history. Paintings and sculptures portrayed scenes of rural life and national struggle, illustrating how visual art functions as a vessel for memory, emotion, and heritage across generations.

The following afternoon, participants visited Madrasah An-Nur for a community service session. Welcomed by local staff and students, the group worked together to clean shared spaces and later held a creative activity called Emotional Art with over 70 young students. Through simple drawings and colours, the children explored emotions such as sadness, joy, and anger. Despite the language gap, communication flowed with the help of gestures and translation apps. Before leaving, the team distributed stationery to the students and presented a token of appreciation to the madrasah.

The experience left a lasting impact. It deepened cultural awareness, encouraged teamwork, and built compassion through direct engagement with the local community. For the students at An-Nur, the session brought joy and support. For us, it reminded us of the importance of service and humility in global learning.

The next day, the group visited Van Lang University (VLU), where they participated in “Empowering Minds: Knowledge Exchange”, a student-led academic sharing session. A psychology-themed quiz sparked lively discussion, and students were introduced to Vietnamese traditional delicacies like Bánh Ít, which added a cultural layer to the exchange. The session highlighted diverse academic approaches and created space for constructive, cross-cultural learning.

In the afternoon, students toured the War Remnants Museum, which gave a sobering and powerful view into Vietnam’s wartime experiences. The exhibits prompted emotional reflection on the costs of war and its lasting psychological effects. Many left with a renewed appreciation for peace and a deeper understanding of the resilience of the Vietnamese people.

On the final morning, participants packed up and departed for the airport, bringing the physical component of the programme to a close.

The journey continued virtually from 19 to 25 May 2025, giving students a chance to reconnect with peers from Van Lang University through online discussions and collaborative sessions. Virtual forums like “Cross-Cultural: Malaysia & Vietnam” and “Celebrating Diversity, Strengthening Unity” focused on how culture influences both academic and daily life, while also giving students an opportunity to practise speaking in an international setting.

Game Night added a light-hearted touch, featuring a Malaysian film screening and quiz that introduced VLU students to Malaysian culture in a fun and interactive way. In return, UPM students had to think creatively about how to present cultural content in engaging formats.

The final sessions, Cultural and Language Exchange and Reflect & Speak Up, encouraged students to share personal takeaways, serve as informal language ambassadors, and revisit key lessons from the programme. These moments wrapped up the experience with a spirit of openness and mutual appreciation—values that carried throughout the entire two weeks.

Date of Input: 22/05/2025 | Updated: 31/07/2025 | nurulshabila