Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Vietnamese Language and Vietnamese Culture Experience Course for Students from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and American Councils

On August 24, 2026, the University of Languages and International Studies – Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ULIS – VNU) held the opening ceremony of the 2026 Vietnamese Language and Vietnamese Culture Experience Course for students from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and American Councils (USA).

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Hà Lê Kim Anh, representatives of various ULIS units, and student volunteers. Representing the partner organization were Nolan Phan, Regional Director of the Vietnamese Language Program in Vietnam at American Councils, and participating U.S. students.

In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hà Lê Kim Anh emphasized that this was a special course for ULIS in general and the Faculty of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures in particular. It was also the first course to be held following the enrollment ceremony for the QH.2026 cohort of ULIS and the Vietnamese Language and Culture major (Vietnamese as a Foreign Language Teaching Program). Although it is a short-term course, the cultural experience program is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the academic program.

At the event, Dr. Trần Hữu Trí, Dean of the Faculty of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures, expressed his delight and honor that the U.S. students had placed their trust in ULIS as their destination for study. The University had also completed the selection of host families, providing international students with opportunities to experience everyday life in Vietnam firsthand.

In addition, 11 ULIS students registered to provide support, serving as “bridges” accompanying their U.S. peers in learning and cultural exchange. Dr. Trần Hữu Trí expressed his hope that this meaningful interaction would help Vietnamese and international students better understand one another, learn together, and grow together.

Continuing the program, Mr. Nolan Phan – Regional Director of the Vietnamese Language Program in Vietnam at American Councils, expressed his confidence in ULIS’s teaching methods and quality of education. He also thanked the University for its close cooperation, which has created meaningful opportunities for learning and cultural exchange for students from both sides.

At the ceremony, Antonio Mestanza, a representative of the participating students, expressed his affection for the Vietnamese language, a language closely associated with a rich culture and friendly people. Antonio expressed his gratitude for this valuable opportunity to experience Vietnam and shared his hope of having more opportunities to learn about Vietnamese culture and work in Vietnam in the future.