HaUI hosts SLT Japan Culture Day 2026, Bridging cultural exchange and career opportunities

Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) hosted SLT Japan Culture Day 2026 (SJD 2026) on October 17, bringing together 31 organisations and businesses and 18 finalist teams for a day of cultural discovery, creative competition and industry engagement. Beyond celebrating Japanese culture, the event gave students opportunities to showcase their talents, connect with prospective employers and explore career opportunities in Vietnam and Japan.

Overview of the event

At the opening ceremony of SJD 2026, Assoc. Prof. Pham Van Dong, Vice President of HaUI, highlighted the event’s potential to enhance training quality, inspire a passion for learning and equip students with greater confidence to engage internationally. He emphasised that, as Vietnam-Japan cooperation continues to deepen, higher education has a key role to play in preparing graduates with strong professional expertise, cross-cultural understanding and the adaptability to succeed in international working environments.

Assoc. Prof. Pham Van Dong, Vice President of HaUI, delivers the remarks at the event

Mr. Yoshioka Norihiko, Director of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, highlighted the importance of learning through firsthand experience. “There are many things we can only truly understand by trying them ourselves,” he remarked, commending HaUI for creating an interactive environment where students can learn by doing, take initiative and actively develop their capabilities.

Mr. Yoshioka Norihiko, Director of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

Offering an industry perspective, Senior Colonel Nguyen Xuan Hong, Deputy General Director of the Technological Application and Production One Member Limited Liability Company (TECAPRO), emphasised the importance of taking initiative in career development. He encouraged students to engage with prospective employers without waiting until they had a fully prepared CV, highlighting the value of direct enquiries about job responsibilities and professional requirements. Such engagement, he noted, can help students identify career opportunities and make more informed decisions about their professional futures. He further stressed that employers value young professionals who demonstrate strong professional knowledge, a sense of responsibility and initiative.

Senior Colonel Nguyen Xuan Hong, Deputy General Director of TECAPRO

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry; Mr. Yoshioka Norihiko, Director of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam; and representatives of partner organizations and businesses officially launch SJD Japanese Culture Experience Day 2026

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry; Dr. Tran Ngoc Duc, Vice Rector in charge of the School of Foreign Languages and Tourism; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Ba Phong, Vice Rector ; and Dr. Tran Thi Minh Phuong, Dean of the Japanese Language Faculty, present flowers and certificates of appreciation to sponsors and partners, industry mentors for the SJD TANQ 2026 Startup Idea Competition, and judges of the SJD Hibiki Got Talent 2026 competition.

A key highlight of SJD 2026 was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Hanoi University of Industry and major industry partners, strengthening links between education and the labour market. The partnerships will support practical skills training aligned with industry standards, develop high-quality talent in information technology, hospitality and services, and create pathways for HaUI students to gain professional experience and employment opportunities in Japan.

Dr. Tran Ngoc Duc, Vice Rector in charge of the School of Foreign Languages and Tourism at Hanoi University of Industry, and representatives of partner organizations sign memoranda of understanding

The SJD TANQ 2026 Startup Idea Competition challenged participating teams to pitch their business ideas in Japanese and defend their proposals before a panel of industry experts. Team 4 Cases from VNU University of Languages and International Studies won the championship, along with a special award from TECAPRO, for a project that combines a cultural experience journal with a keepsake for Japanese visitors to record and cherish their experiences in Vietnam.

SJD TANQ 2026 Startup Idea Competition

The afternoon programme featured SJD Hibiki Got Talent 2026, a talent competition showcasing 12 diverse performances ranging from singing and dancing to traditional Yosakoi. Onami Yosakoi, a group from Hanoi University of Industry, won the top prize, the Hibiki Award, with an energetic and captivating performance. The competition brought the festival to a vibrant close, celebrating the cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan through music, dance and artistic expression.

SJD Hibiki Got Talent 2026 Competition

The event offered a range of interactive activities that brought Japanese culture closer to students and visitors. Participants tried their hand at origami, explored the art of traditional Japanese calligraphy and experienced wearing yukata. Food stalls featuring Japanese specialties further enriched the experience, creating opportunities for the HaUI community and guests to discover Japanese traditions through art, attire and cuisine.