On July 8, 2025, FTU welcomed and held a meeting with Mr. Yukihiko Ohkuma – Representative of Jouju Company, Japan – the main sponsor of the Kawai Startup Contest, representing Mr. Mitsumasa Kawai – President of Jouju Group and the Kawai Scholarship Fund.

Attending the meeting from FTU were Assoc. Prof., Dr. Cao Dinh Kien – Director of International Affairs; Ms. Nguyen Huyen Minh – Head of Communication and Community Relations; Ms. Dinh Thuy Tien – Deputy Secretary in charge of the Youth Union; and student Nguyen Thi Bao Linh – President of the Future Entrepreneurs Club (TEC FTU), the club organizing the Kawai startup contest.

Assoc. Prof., Dr. Cao Dinh Kien warmly welcomed Mr. Yukihiko Ohkuma’s return to FTU after one year and highlighted the importance of the “Startup with Kawai” contest – a program promoting entrepreneurship and supporting startup projects organized by FTU and Jouju Co., Ltd (Japan) since 2006. Over 20 years, the contest has been a launching pad for promising startup ideas and a connection hub for multiple generations of Vietnamese startups. In 2025, the contest expands its scope to include young founders worldwide.

Mr. Yukihiko Ohkuma expressed his pleasure in returning to FTU, meeting university representatives, and witnessing the contest’s growth and the TEC FTU club’s development. He honored the opportunity to represent Mr. Mitsumasa Kawai and the Kawai Scholarship Fund to accompany this year’s contest and praised the 2024 contest’s scale, creativity, and passion of participants. He believed the 2025 contest would be larger, more professional, and continue to nurture breakthrough startup ideas.

During the session, both sides discussed cooperation plans for the upcoming contest and shared development directions for student startup activities. Ms. Nguyen Huyen Minh expressed appreciation for Jouju Group’s dedicated companionship over 20 years, contributing to the contest’s success and prestige as an intellectual and creative playground for young entrepreneurship enthusiasts amid rapid innovation and integration.

This meeting marks an important milestone confirming the sustainable partnership between FTU and Jouju Group and inspires greater development and impact of the “Startup with Kawai” contest among the student startup community.

From June 30 to July 11, 2025, Foreign Trade University welcomed a delegation of students from ISC Paris Business School (France) to participate in the "2025 Biz-Culture Immersion Weeks at FTU" program, aimed at academic exchange and experiencing Vietnamese culture.

Following the success of the 2024 program with 10 students, this year’s course attracted 22 students from ISC Paris, reflecting the program’s appeal and the growing interest of international students in exploring and experiencing Vietnamese culture.

At the opening ceremony on June 30, 2025, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, Ms. Dao Thi Thu Ha – Deputy Director of International Affairs at FTU – warmly welcomed the international student delegation and emphasized the cultural value of the course. She also shared that the students are not only learners but members of the FTU family, contributing to the university’s international integration, and hoped the students would have meaningful and memorable experiences at FTU and in Vietnam.

During the two-week program, ISC Paris students participated in cultural and academic exchange activities, including lectures on Vietnamese culture, history, law, economy, and business environment. These lessons provided both professional knowledge and a deeper understanding of Vietnam and its people. The program also included cultural exchange events such as startup sharing sessions and practical experiences like cooking traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Additionally, students had opportunities to learn about Vietnamese businesses through visits to Ecotek Co., Ltd and Tecomen Group (Karofi Factory) to understand business models and production activities.

Especially, ISC Paris students visited famous historical sites such asTemple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and scenic spots like Trang An, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay – a world natural wonder.

The 2025 Biz-Culture Immersion Weeks at FTU enriched ISC Paris students’ knowledge and deepened their understanding of Vietnamese culture, history, and people. Thanks to the dedicated support from FTU’s faculty, staff, and students, as well as cooperation with businesses, the program delivered diverse and meaningful experiences that will be valuable for students in understanding culture, business, and life in Vietnam.

On the morning of July 4, 2025, Foreign Trade University warmly welcomed a delegation of lecturers and students from Tsinghua University (China) within the framework of a cooperation program in training and cultural exchange between the two higher education institutions. The program was jointly organized by Office of International Affairs, the Faculty of Chinese, and the Faculty of Political Science and Humanities at Foreign Trade University, aiming to implement cultural and educational cooperation activities between the two universities.

Tsinghua University is a comprehensive public university headquartered in Beijing, China. It is the most prestigious university in China and Asia, ranking among the top 12 universities worldwide. Speaking at the exchange program, Dr. Le Quang Sang – Head of the Faculty of Chinese at Foreign Trade University – warmly welcomed the Tsinghua University student delegation and expressed his joy over the strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two higher education institutions.

On behalf of the Chinese lecturers and students, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Zhang Mu Yan – Party Secretary and Vice Director of the Japanese Studies Institute at Tsinghua University – shared her impressions of the confidence and dynamism of Foreign Trade University students, as well as the vibrant learning atmosphere during the summer semester, especially the presence of many international student delegations at the main campus in Hanoi. In parallel with activities such as learning Vietnamese language and exploring Vietnamese culture and environment, students from both universities shared about student life, study styles, opportunities to explore talents and self-development, and distinctive features of the university environment in each country. From these exchanges, they aimed to enhance their role as "young cultural ambassadors," contributing to building a bridge of friendship between the youth of the two nations in general, while also strengthening cooperation in training and promoting cultural exchange and academic activities between Tsinghua University and Foreign Trade University in the near future.

On June 24, 2025, in a solemn and emotional ceremony held at Foreign Trade University, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – JICA Vietnam Office – proudly organized an appreciation event to honor Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President of the University and Project Director of the Vietnam–Japan Human Resources Development Institute (VJCC) for his persistent and profound contributions throughout the cooperation journey between JICA and Foreign Trade University (FTU).

The ceremony was attended by senior representatives from JICA Vietnam including Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke – Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office; Mr. Kubo Yoshitomo – Deputy Chief Representative; Mr. Hanazato Nobuhiko – Chief Advisor of the VJCC Project; and Mr. Nishikawa Naotaka – Senior Advisor involved in project formation.

From Foreign Trade University side, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President and Director of the VJCC Project; Assoc. Prof., Dr. Vu Thi Hien – Vice President., Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien – Director of VJCC Institute; along with many heads and deputies of departments, functional offices, and staff members of the university were present.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke emphasized: “The cooperative relationship between JICA and FTU is a vivid testament to the profound friendship between Vietnam and Japan. Along this journey, under the passionate leadership and guidance of President Bui Anh Tuan, FTU has made solid progress, laying the foundation for many important milestones in education and human resource development. He has ignited trust and contributed to deeply connecting strategic vision with practical values – truly reflecting the cooperative spirit that JICA and Foreign Trade University pursue.” He also specially appreciated the over 10-year journey during which Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan has accompanied JICA, guiding the development of the Vietnam-Japan Human Resources Development Institute (VJCC) with many remarkable milestones. Beginning in 2015 with the first Keieijuku program in Hai Phong, and in 2017, he pioneered the proposal and merger of two VJCC Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to establish the Vietnam-Japan Human Resources Development Institute (VJCC), officially becoming a specialized unit of FTU. Since then, the VJCC Institute has expanded its mission to formal training by launching two bachelor's degree programs: Bachelor of International Business according to the advanced Japanese model (JIB) and Bachelor of Digital Business (DB), marking a breakthrough transformation in human resource training under the Vietnam-Japan model.

Immediately following his speech, Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, on behalf of JICA Vietnam Office, presented an Honorary Certificate along with a congratulatory bouquet to Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan to acknowledge his profound contributions in promoting educational cooperation and human resource development between Vietnam and Japan. This recognition is not only from JICA but also a sincere thank you from countless generations of learners, staff, and all who have been and will continue to carry forward the mission of international cooperation.

At the ceremony, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President of Foreign Trade University – sincerely shared about the journey alongside JICA and special milestones in forming and developing VJCC. In 2017, when deciding to merge the two VJCC Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to establish VJCC Institute – a challenging decision – time has proven it to be strategic and correct, enabling VJCC to develop strongly and become a pioneering and reputable training unit. Notably, developing the two bachelor programs JIB and DB was an important step forward. He shared that to realize these programs, the university community conducted surveys domestically and internationally, especially at Japanese universities such as Kanto Gakuin, Rikkyo, and Waseda. More importantly, what he values most is not just good teaching but creating sustainable value after training. In the Keieijuku program, the most important is not only the curriculum content but the connected community maintained afterward. The establishment and activities of the Keieijuku Club – where students can continue to share, support, and develop together – is a living proof of an educational approach aiming at long-term value. He also affirmed the irreplaceable role of JICA throughout the journey, not only as a professional or financial partner but as a strategic companion always sharing, discussing, and resolving every issue – from lecturers, training programs to infrastructure – every step saw mutual consensus, sharing, and trust between two sides. Closing his speech, he emotionally said: “Today’s honor is not mine alone, but the culmination of companionship and support from JICA, experts, the collective of teachers, staff, and colleagues of Foreign Trade University who wrote this journey together.”

Following the President ’s words, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien – Director of VJCC Institute – emotionally expressed her pride in representing a unit that has had the opportunity to directly receive and realize the beautiful values from the strong cooperation between Vietnam and Japan – concretized through the VJCC project, supported by JICA and FTU. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – who has accompanied the project throughout – has played not only a strategic leadership role but also a sustainable spiritual support enabling VJCC to successfully fulfill its mission. Evolving from a center with a basic training mission for small and medium enterprises, VJCC has become an influential and large-scale unit – not only in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but also extending to Hai Phong and many provinces nationwide. The training programs delivered by VJCC constantly improve in quality and are recognized by society – a result of collective solidarity, dedicated leadership from the President and sustained partnership from JICA. Especially, the Institute has successfully implemented two bachelor programs JIB and DB – regarded as a bridge connecting Vietnamese youth with Japan’s advanced education system. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien sent deep gratitude to President Bui Anh Tuan – who has continuously accompanied, led, and inspired the VJCC community. She expressed hope to continue receiving his guidance and companionship in the upcoming journey, believing that the cooperation relationship between Foreign Trade University and JICA will grow stronger and develop further for the future of young generations and long-term connection between Vietnam and Japan.

The ceremony ended warmly with commemorative photos – where smiles, eyes, and handshakes confirmed a strong bond. This moment marked the journey of jointly fostering a strategic cooperation story between the two nations – beginning from education, spreading through trust, and continuing with heart.

On May 17, 2025, the Faculty of Japanese, FTU, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO Hanoi) and under the auspices of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan and the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, held the final round of the BizContest 2025 – "Students with Business Ideas: Nurturing Vietnamese Talents with Japanese Enterprises."

Present at the final round were representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI), JETRO Hanoi, the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange, as well as sponsors, media, and academic supporters.

From FTU, attendees included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Hien – Vice President; Dr. Tran Thi Thu Thuy – Dean of the Faculty of Japanese; Heads/Deputy Heads of relevant units, lecturers, students, and the eight finalist teams and their supporters.

The contest aimed to foster creativity and enhance Japanese language proficiency among Vietnamese university students. With the theme “Solving social issues in Vietnam through collaboration with Japanese enterprises,” the contest drew participants from universities nationwide.

After preliminary rounds in March 2025, eight excellent teams advanced to intensive training. Students received project development training, presentation skills from seasoned experts, and practical feedback from Japanese businesses. The contest nurtured creative thinking, problem-solving, Japanese proficiency, teamwork, and confidence in public speaking.

Mr. Ozasa Haruhiko, Chief Representative of JETRO Hanoi, praised the innovative ideas and emphasized that Japanese companies in Vietnam are seeking talent with both Japanese proficiency and problem-solving capabilities. He highlighted that over 2,000 Japanese firms are currently operating in Vietnam with plans for expansion.

The final results:

•          Champion: Team チーム8：SEA from FTU, with the gender education app "SEA – Learning Through Gaming" (Prize: 20 million VND)
•          Runner-up: Team チーム7：VNJOY from HANU-ULIS with tourism support app "VNJOY"
•          Third Place:Team チーム1：MoodMeal Bento from Dong A University, Da Nang (Mood-based lunch box app)
•          Team チーム3：ReBox from FTU Hanoi (Japanese-style reusable delivery box)

 Consolation prizes awarded to:

•          Team チーム2：『Hatarakun』(Job-matching app, FTU Hanoi)
•          Team チーム4：ECORA (Waste-sorting app, Hanoi University)
•          Team チーム5：Draman Ice (Mango ice cream app, University of Foreign Languages – Da Nang)
•          Team チーム6：Finding Takara (Educational game, FTU Ho Chi Minh Campus)

On May 16, 2025, the MOU Exchange Ceremony between Foreign Trade University (FTU) and Swiss Education Group (SEG) was held solemnly at FTU's Headquarters in Hanoi.

On March 28, 2025, a delegation from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), along with a group of U.S. business leaders from America's Small Business Development Centers (America’s SBDC), paid an official visit to Foreign Trade University (FTU).

The CSUF delegation included Dr. Sridhar Sundaram – Dean of the College of Business and Economics at CSUF, and Dr. Tam Thanh Nguyen – Honorary Chair of the CSUF Board and Chairman of Advance Beauty College. The U.S. CEO delegation was led by Mr. Tim Goff – President of ASSA ABLOY Group and Chairman of the CSUF Advisory Board; Mr. Ash Patel – President and CEO of California Commercial Bank; Mr. Michael Daniel – Director of the CSUF OCIE SBDC Network; Ms. Katrina Payne Smith – Executive Director of SBDC; and Ms. Manal Richa – Director of the SBDC Global Trade Center, along with other CEOs and business leaders.

From FTU, the meeting was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien – Director of International Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thai Phong – Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; along with leaders of various FTU departments and offices.

In her welcome speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong expressed her pleasure in receiving the CSUF delegation and U.S. business leaders at FTU. She emphasized the importance of international cooperation in education and research and reaffirmed FTU’s openness to partnerships with reputable international institutions to improve training quality, enhance research, and create career opportunities for students.

During the working session, the two sides discussed future cooperation opportunities. Notably, they explored the establishment of an international student exchange program between FTU and CSUF. FTU students would have the opportunity to transfer to CSUF and participate in internships with U.S. companies, thereby accessing international career paths. Both sides also agreed to promote faculty and student exchanges to build a global learning environment and enhance student integration. Additionally, U.S. CEOs expressed interest in recruiting graduates from both FTU and CSUF.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong also presented FTU’s global internship program for students, hoping CSUF and the business community in Orange County, California, could cooperate and support student participation. This initiative aims to provide students with access to international career opportunities and practical skill development.

The meeting concluded in a warm and open atmosphere, paving the way for new collaborative opportunities between FTU and international partners, particularly in education, research, and student career development.

As part of the visit, the CSUF delegation and the U.S. CEO group joined a seminar titled “CSUF Talk: Talent Development in Vietnam: Meeting Global Industry Demands.”

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thai Phong expressed appreciation for the partnership between FTU and the College of Business and Economics at CSUF. He highlighted the need for students to be equipped with adaptable and relevant skills to meet the fast-changing technological landscape and global workforce demands.

The main discussion, “Talent Development in Vietnam – Meeting Global Industry Demands,” was moderated by Dr. Tam Nguyen – Honorary Chair of the CSUF Board, and featured key insights from Dr. Sridhar Sundaram – Dean of the College of Business and Economics, Mr. Michael Daniel – Director of the CSUF OCIE SBDC Network, and Mr. Ash Patel – President and CEO of California Commercial Bank. The speakers shared insights on workforce development in Vietnam amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market.

The discussion emphasized not only the technical expertise required for global success but also the need to develop soft skills such as critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and teamwork.

FTU students actively engaged in the discussion, raising sharp questions about the impact of AI on employment prospects and the evolving recruitment criteria in the digital era. The seminar concluded on a high note with a group photo, marking a new milestone in the collaborative relationship between FTU and CSUF and signaling promising opportunities for future cooperation.

From March 22 to March 31, 2025, Foreign Trade University organized a reception program for staff, faculty, and students from the University of Washington, Tacoma (USA) participating in the "Vietnam Immersion Study Tour 2025" cultural and academic exchange program.

This is the first year the program has been organized in Vietnam, marking an important development in the cooperative relationship between the two universities after officially signing a cooperation agreement in December 2023.

The program provided international students with the opportunity to access Foreign Trade University's prestigious academic environment through a series of in-depth lectures directly taught by experienced faculty members of the University. The lectures not only offered a comprehensive view of Vietnam's country, people, and culture but also provided deep insights into the dynamically developing economy, attractive investment environment, and positive changes in business activities in Vietnam.

Besides academic activities, the delegation participated in many practical experience-rich activities such as a visit to the Stavian Factory in Hung Yen, where a modern and lean production system operates. Here, students also had direct interactions with experts at Stavian Group Headquarters, exchanging ideas about fields such as marketing, human resource management, and global business strategies.

Within the program framework, the delegation also conducted a field survey at Legacy Yen Tu Resort (belonging to Tung Lam Development JSC) accompanied by students from the Quang Ninh Campus. Here, students learned about the business operation model and experienced distinctive cultural elements incorporated into the design, services, and operational philosophy of the resort.

One of the cultural highlights of the program was a traditional Vietnamese cooking class. Under the dedicated guidance of culinary experts, international students and faculty had the opportunity to personally prepare and enjoy dishes with distinctive Vietnamese national identity flavors.

The Vietnam Immersion Study Tour 2025 program left deep impressions on all participants. Not only did it help enhance understanding of Vietnamese culture, society, and economy, but the program also served as a bridge connecting students from both countries, opening up many opportunities for future international cooperation and exchange between Foreign Trade University and the University of Washington, Tacoma.

From March 12 - 19, 2025, a delegation from Foreign Trade University led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien – Vice President conducted a working visit to Australia to promote cooperative relationships with leading universities, including Curtin University, Monash University, and the University of Melbourne.

The delegation also included Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Dat – Deputy Dean of the Faculty of International Education along with specialists from the Faculty. The visit not only marked progress in developing joint training programs with foreign institutions but also opened up many opportunities for faculty exchanges, scientific research, and student connections between the two countries.

At the University of Melbourne - ranked 13th among the world's top universities according to QS Ranking 2025, the delegation held meetings with senior leadership of the university, focusing on discussing potential future cooperation programs. Both sides exchanged views on research collaboration possibilities in areas of strength such as business administration, finance, information technology, innovation, and sustainable development. The University of Melbourne expressed particular interest in faculty exchange activities to strengthen academic connections between the two institutions. The meeting opened up many new prospects, providing students and faculty with more options for learning and research in a world-class educational environment.

At Monash University - ranked in the top 37 of the world's leading universities according to QS Ranking 2025, the delegation had a working session with senior leadership to discuss future cooperation methods. Notably, both sides reached an agreement on implementing a joint Bachelor's program in Finance, offering students from the School of International Education, Foreign Trade University the opportunity to study in Monash's advanced educational environment. Additionally, other cooperation areas such as faculty exchanges, joint research, and international student support were also discussed. The signing of a cooperation agreement between the two institutions marked an important milestone in the educational cooperation relationship between Foreign Trade University and Monash University, promising to bring many practical benefits to students and faculty of both institutions.

During the visit to Curtin University - ranked 174th among the world's top universities according to QS Ranking 2025, the delegation met and exchanged views with Curtin University leadership on long-term cooperation strategies, while also working with functional departments related to receiving and supporting the first cohort of students in the Bachelor of Commerce program specializing in Logistics and Supply Chain Management for their transition. Also within the program framework, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien shared insights with Curtin University faculty and students at a seminar on academic cooperation opportunities, faculty exchange programs, international internships, and student exchanges within the cooperation agreement between the two institutions. Notably, the delegation had the opportunity to meet and listen to practical experiences from Foreign Trade University students currently studying at Curtin about life, learning experiences, and career opportunities in Perth, Australia.

This working visit to Australia achieved many important results, not only strengthening the cooperative relationship between Foreign Trade University and Australia's leading universities but also opening up high-quality learning and research opportunities for students and faculty. Enhancing international education cooperation not only helps improve training quality but also brings practical benefits to students, opening doors to deeper integration with global education.

In the coming time, Foreign Trade University will continue to promote cooperation with strategic partners in Australia to effectively implement joint training programs, expand learning and research opportunities, and create the most favorable conditions for students to access advanced education, ready to integrate and develop in an international environment.

On March 20, 2025, Campus II of Foreign Trade University in Ho Chi Minh City organized a meeting and cooperation exchange with Kuehne+Nagel Group - One of the world's leading enterprises in Logistics & Supply Chain Management.

The Kuehne+Nagel Group delegation attending the meeting included Mr. Dirk Finning - Global HR Director of Kuehne+Nagel Group and Ms. Doan Le Minh Ha - HR and Administration Director of Kuehne+Nagel Vietnam.

From Campus II, attendees included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha – Deputy Director of Campus II; Dr. Le Hong Van – Head of the Department of International Business and Commerce; Dr. Le Giang Nam – Head of the Department of International Affairs; Dr. Le Thi Thanh Ngan – Deputy Head of Department of International Business and Commerce; Along with lecturers teaching Logistics & Supply Chain Management specialization.

The meeting took place in a friendly and open atmosphere, providing an opportunity for both sides to discuss further about long-term cooperation potential, aiming to connect students with career opportunities, internship programs, recruitment, as well as academic and business activities to help students approach industry practices.

This event marks an important step in the connection strategy between Campus II and international businesses, especially in the Logistics & Supply Chain Management industry. The University commits to continuously expanding cooperation with multinational corporations, creating a solid bridge between academia and business practices, helping students have a dynamic learning environment that closely aligns with the global labor market reality. With Kuehne+Nagel's partnership, students will have opportunities to access an international working environment, equipping themselves with solid foundations to conquer future challenges.

The meeting was successfully conducted, promising many meaningful cooperation programs in the coming time. The University hopes that with support from Kuehne+Nagel Group, valuable opportunities will be provided to help students expand their knowledge and equip themselves with necessary skills to meet the human resource requirements for the Logistics & Supply Chain Management industry in the future.