From August 5th to 11th , 41 students from Fukuoka Prefecture (Japan) who were on a visit to Hanoi, lived with 14 Vietnamese families to learn about the local people's daily lifestyle. During this time, they enjoyed Vietnamese dishes and visited famous cultural and historical monuments of Hanoi.

Talking to the press, Khanh Chi, a student in class 12C3 - Doan Thi Diem High School said during the first meal, her family invited Japanese friends to enjoy Vietnamese dishes such as tofu with onion and fish sauce, Hanoi-styled spring rolls, sauteed water spinach, braised pork, sour fish soup. In the following days, she made a detailed plan herself to invite the Japanese group to try dishes for Hanoi cuisine including pho, bun thang, bun cha, banh xeo, and Trang Tien ice cream.

"They really enjoyed the dishes and praised the taste of Vietnamese cuisine," said Khanh Chi.

Vietnamese meal prepared for a Japanese student.

Khanh Chi also took a Japanese friend to visit Hanoi's cultural and historical relics. "Every day, we get up very early to explore. Although we don't speak the same language, we quickly get close to each other and tell each other interesting stories about our teachers, friends, and family. Because my Japanese is not good, we mainly use body language and Google translate to communicate," said Chi.

Nguyen Ha My, a student at Chu Van An High School, remembers spending time with Japanese friends visiting famous landmarks in Hanoi such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Puppet Theater, Bat Trang Pottery Village, Hoa Lo Prison, Museum of Ethnology, or roaming through the streets on double-decker buses and check out shopping centers such as Lotte West Lake and Royal City.

Ngoc Hoa, who invited a Japanese to live with her family, said that her son was much more active and chatty when the Japanese student came to live. Hoa cooked Vietnamese dishes for the foreign guest

Students visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

This is the 5th year that this activity has been organized in order to strengthen the connection between schools in Hanoi and Fukuoka, and at the same time give teachers and students of the two countries the opportunity to exchange experiences in teaching and learning.

Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong said that 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. The 5th cultural and educational exchange program between students in Hanoi and Fukuoka has contributed to enhancing mutual understanding and close friendship between the people of Vietnam and Japan in general and between students in Hanoi and Fukuoka in particular.

According to Tomoyuki Mizoguchi, President of Nishi Nippon Junior College, and Head of the Fukuoka delegation, the Japanese student group was welcomed and cared for by Vietnamese schools and families, which definitely helps them to understand deeply the cultures of Vietnam. This is a valuable exchange opportunity and a practical activity that promotes exchanges and cooperation between Hanoi and Fukuoka.

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