On the afternoon of July 23, 2026, the Center for National Defense and Security Education, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), organized an exchange, experiential learning, and teambuilding program for students participating in the AUN Summer Program 2026.
Attending the program and welcoming the delegation were Colonel Nguyen Trong Ly, Vice Director of the Center; representatives of the Center’s departments and faculties; staff members, lecturers, and students of Course 466. The AUN Summer Program 2026 delegation consisted of 80 students, including 50 international students from universities within the ASEAN University Network (AUN).
The AUN Summer Program is an academic, experiential, and cultural exchange initiative organized within the framework of the ASEAN University Network. It aims to strengthen academic connections, intercultural understanding, and cooperation among students from universities across the region. Through the program, students not only explore global issues but also gain opportunities to work in a multicultural environment, enhance their communication and teamwork skills, and expand their international networks.
Under the theme “ESG Towards Sustainable Development,” the AUN Summer Program 2026 takes place from July 20 to August 1, 2026, combining academic activities, field trips, and cultural exchanges. The program provides students with knowledge, perspectives, and practical experiences related to climate change, the circular economy, ESG reporting, and corporate governance aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Upon arriving at the Center for National Defense and Security Education, VNU-HCM, the AUN Summer Program 2026 delegation received a warm and friendly welcome. The boonie hats presented by the Center were not only meaningful souvenirs representing the distinctive environment of national defense and security education but also symbols of connection among students from different universities, countries, and cultural backgrounds.
During the exchange program, delegates and students enjoyed cultural performances, listened to welcoming remarks from the Center’s leadership, and watched a documentary introducing the Center’s establishment, development, and outstanding activities.
In his welcoming remarks, Colonel Nguyen Trong Ly, Vice Director of the Center, expressed his pleasure in welcoming lecturers and students of the AUN Summer Program 2026 to visit, interact, and participate in experiential activities at the Center. He expressed his hope that the program would offer students new and meaningful experiences while strengthening mutual understanding, solidarity, and connections between Vietnamese students and students from other countries in the region.
Through the documentary and presentations, international students gained further insight into the Center’s history, development, learning and training environment, as well as its educational, cultural, and sporting activities. The program also provided an opportunity to promote the image of the Center for National Defense and Security Education, VNU-HCM, as a professional, welcoming, dynamic, and culturally distinctive institution to international friends.
As part of the program, the delegation offered incense at the Memorial House and Exhibition Space dedicated to the life and revolutionary career of President Ho Chi Minh. In a solemn atmosphere, delegates and students expressed their respect and gratitude for President Ho Chi Minh’s immense contributions to the struggle for national liberation and the cause of building and defending Viet Nam.
The incense-offering ceremony carried profound educational significance, giving international students an opportunity to learn more about the life, ideology, and revolutionary career of President Ho Chi Minh. Through this activity, they also gained a deeper understanding of Viet Nam’s history, culture, traditions, and people.
A highlight of the program was a series of teambuilding activities held at the Center’s shooting practice facility. Through physical games and military-themed team challenges, Vietnamese and international students worked together, communicated, supported one another, and strengthened their team spirit.
Each activity required not only agility and coordination but also effective communication, collective decision-making, and close cooperation among team members. Laughter, enthusiastic encouragement, and active participation created a lively, friendly, and energetic atmosphere throughout the program.
The teambuilding activities helped students improve their communication, teamwork, coordination, and problem-solving skills in a multicultural environment. At the same time, their experiences at the Center provided them with a more vivid understanding of the concentrated learning, training, and residential environment experienced by students participating in national defense and security education programs in Viet Nam.
The exchange, experiential learning, and teambuilding program for AUN Summer Program 2026 students reflected the proactive efforts of the Center for National Defense and Security Education, VNU-HCM, to strengthen international exchange, cooperation, and integration. Through the program, the image of a professional, welcoming, dynamic, and culturally distinctive Center continued to be shared with students from universities in Viet Nam and abroad.
The program left many positive impressions and meaningful memories, contributing to greater mutual understanding, solidarity, and connection among students from different countries. It also provided AUN Summer Program 2026 participants with memorable experiences during their journey to explore the culture, education, history, and people of Viet Nam
