The delegation of Fukuoka Prefecture (Japan) was led by Mr. Tomoyuki Mizoguchi, President of Nishi Nippon Junior College, Chairman of the Asian Student Exchange Program Committee of the Fukuoka Prefectural Private Education Association, Japan; 9 teachers from the Fukuoka Prefectural Private Education Association and schools in Fukuoka Prefecture such as: Hakata High School, Mika Tsutsumi High School, Nakamura Gakuen Sanyo High School, Kyusyu International University, Iiduka High School, Nishi Nippon Junior College, Hakata High School, Nakamura Gakuen Sanyo High School; and 49 high school students.

A delegation of officials, teachers and students from high schools in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan arrived in Hanoi and were welcomed by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training at a welcoming ceremony on the afternoon of August 6.

Leaders of Hanoi Department of Education and Training presented gifts to welcome staff, teachers and students in Fukuoka, Japan

The 7th Hanoi-Fukuoka Cultural and Educational Exchange Program in 2024 will take place in Hanoi from August 3 to 9, in which students from the two cities will participate in cultural, educational and historical exchanges at partner schools. In particular, 49 students from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan will have 3 days of homestay activities with the families of 49 Vietnamese students at high schools in Hanoi, including: Viet Duc High School, Phan Dinh Phung High School, Tran Phu High School, Newton Secondary and High School, Phenikaa Secondary and High School.

At the same time, students also participate in many sports activities at schools, learn about Hanoi's culinary culture, visit famous landscapes and historical sites of the capital Hanoi.

Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong said that the Hanoi-Fukuoka cultural and educational exchange program is a meaningful activity on the journey of more than 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, contributing to strengthening the friendly cooperative relationship between the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and the Fukuoka Private Education Association (Japan). This is also a program to realize the policy of the City People's Committee on strengthening the friendly cooperative relationship between Hanoi and Fukuoka according to the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation signed by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Fukuoka Provincial Government, Japan on January 23, 2024.

Appreciating the cultural and educational exchange activities between Hanoi and Fukuoka in recent years, the Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training hopes that through the 7th exchange program in 2024, students of the two cities will share experiences and learn from each other; in which, Hanoi students will learn about the will, courage, determination and especially the awareness in collective activities of Japanese students; Fukuoka students will learn the spirit of hospitality, creativity and love of peace of Vietnamese students.

Tomoyuki Mizoguchi, Head of the Fukuoka Prefectural Teachers and Students Group, said: “Students from Japan will be welcomed and cared for by Vietnamese schools and families. I believe that this form of learning will definitely help them understand each other’s cultures. On the other hand, no matter how hard they study, there will still be some areas that they cannot fully understand or pay attention to at first. However, if they overcome these barriers, they will be able to create exchange opportunities that only the younger generation can do, leading them to a bright future. I think this is the true meaning of this Exchange Program.”

Mr. Tomoyuki Mizoguchi also expressed his wish to receive close cooperation from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training. Mr. Mizoguchi said that the Fukuoka teachers will visit schools as well as participate in exchange activities with students, and learn more about education in Vietnam.