Thirty-seven-year-old Huang Xiaolong, a Ph.D. candidate in Linguistics at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities of Hanoi National University, and a lecturer at Guangxi University of China, shared that on the sidelines of a get-together held for Vietnamese and Chinese students who have studied in the two countries from different periods.
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Huang Xiaolong talking to reporters |
The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam Television, and Vietnam News Agency, as part of the activities to mark the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Year of Vietnam - China Humanistic Exchange 2025.
Huang Xiaolong said that after defending her doctoral thesis in Vietnam, she will return to Guangxi University to contribute to China's education sector and teach Vietnamese to Chinese students. She wanted to inspire future generations to continue strengthening the Vietnam - China relationship.
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Tran Thien Tu sharing her memories on the sidelines of the program |
The Chinese scholar believed that Chinese students, especially those majoring in Vietnamese, should first master the Vietnamese language, then explore various aspects such as the economy and development of both countries, and participate in many friendship exchange activities. As a Chinese student learning Vietnamese and living in Vietnam for eight years, she has witnessed many changes in Hanoi and Vietnam. She said that she felt proud and honored being invited to share her experience at the event.
Huang Xiaolong recalled that when she was a little girl, she was fascinated by the image of Vietnamese women in graceful, traditional Ao Dai (traditional long dress of the Vietnamese people) when visiting the Dongxing (China) – Mong Cai (Vietnam) Border Gate. The impression, coupled with her mother’s close friendship with Vietnamese friends, motivated her to learn about the country and its people. She then decided to study Vietnamese and had the opportunity to study at the Department of Linguistics of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, through a cooperative program between the two universities.
"During my time in Vietnam, I have always received great help and support from Vietnamese teachers. Noticing my interest in learning about Vietnamese cuisine, my teachers taught me how to cook Vietnamese dishes. When a Chinese classmate of mine fell ill, the teachers took him to the hospital and then brought him back to the dormitory... In Hanoi, I also had the chance to engage in cultural exchanges with Vietnamese friends, learn Vietnamese, and explore the culinary delights of Hanoi's Old Quarter. The warm and friendly atmosphere here has given me unforgettable, heartwarming memories," Huang Xiaolong shared.
Sharing the same aspiration, Tran Thien Tu, a Vietnamese girl passionate about the Chinese language and culture, wishes to make contribution to strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Tu is known for her videos singing Vietnamese songs in Chinese on the TikTok platform.
Talking to the press on the sidelines of the program, the young girl shared that during her studies in China, she not only focused on her academic knowledge, but also participated in many activities organized by the school and the Vietnamese Students' Association in Beijing.
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Tran Thien Tu (second from the left) and Huang Xiaolong (second from the right) join the event. |
"We actively participated in cultural programs, because these events provided us with opportunities to introduce Vietnamese culture to our Chinese friends and other international students. We introduced traditional outfits such as the Ao Dai, folk games, tourist destinations, and Vietnamese dishes like fried spring rolls," Thien Tu shared.
Tran Thien Tu also recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her classmates took the opportunity to translate Vietnamese songs into Chinese. This not only helped their Chinese friends better understand the meaning behind the songs but also allowed them to learn more about Vietnam's culture and develop a deeper love for the S-shaped country.
Translated by Tran Hoai