Global friendship rooted in cultural connections “The 3rd International Friendship Day: International Gift Fair”
08 Aug, 2023
On the afternoon of July 26, 2023, international students from 10 countries participated in “The 3rd International Friendship Day: International Gift Fair” event to celebrate International Friendship Day on Zoom platform. This is one of the periodic activities at the UEH English Zone designed to help students learn about other cultures and cuisines while also promoting Vietnamese culture to international friends.
The third time that it has been held, the program to commemorate International Friendship Day brings together students from all over the world under the theme "International Gift Fair." By introducing local gifts from each country, presentation activities hope to give students the chance to practice their presentation abilities, storytelling, and fluency in English.
A total of 28 items from 10 countries including India, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, were presented by the students of SPU and of the partner institutions, including Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember - Indonesia, NTP Tourism Affairs College - Nepal, University of the Philippines Diliman, Singapore University of Social Science, Providence University - Taiwan, Phenikaa University and UEH University - Vietnam.
The program attracted a lot of interest from students from many different international universities and colleges
Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the history, culture of these unique gifts through interesting stories and presentations. From cakes to traditional crafts, each gift captures the essence of the nation it comes from.
Irina, an Indian student, introduced delicate hand-embroidered fabrics like Sarees and robes that reflected the skilled craftsmanship of the regional artisans and the country's rich tradition. Salazar from Malaysia also introduced the Bayong bag, which is plaited with traditional Malaysian leaves such as Buri, Pandan, and Abca into intricate and beautiful motifs, displaying the sophistication of the craftsman's creation. Most impressively, Ni Putu Wira from Indonesia introduced the Balinese Barong mask with traditional music.
Nearly 30 unique and cultural gifts were introduced by international students.
Coconut Milk Rice Paper and Vietnamese conical hat (Nón Lá) were presented to international friends by five students who were representing Vietnam and UEH. The stories of students Cong Khanh, Nhu Quynh, and Tri Thanh about coconut milk rice paper, a popular Vietnamese gift and snack, combine a delicate cake layer with the sweet, fragrant coconut. Another gift covered by students Nhat Vy and Thien Phat was a Vietnamese conical hat (Nón Lá), a traditional and cultural symbol of Vietnam. Students from UEH have gained attention from the audience, shared the beauty of Vietnam's culture and heritage with foreign friends.
One of the TOP 4 most impressive presentations of the program was Coconut Milk Rice Paper and Vietnamese conical hat (Nón Lá).
Thanks to Sripatum University - the host organization, the program has given participants the chance to connect and create friendships from around the world. During the program, the students demonstrated their presentation skills, as well as their curiosity and respect for the cultures of other countries. The presentation from "The 3rd International Friendship Day: International Gift Fair" can be viewed here.
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News, photos: Department of Student Affairs UEH
