[News] Researchers from Vietnam National University’s Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science (VNU-IVIDES) Visit SNUAC

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, a delegation from the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science (IVIDES) at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) visited the Seoul National University Asia Center (SNUAC) to discuss signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at establishing regular academic exchanges and research cooperation between the two institutions.

The delegation from VNU-IVIDES consisted of Associate Professor Phạm Đức Anh, Director of the Institute; Dr. Giang Văn Trọng, Researcher; Dr. Phùng Thị Thanh Lâm, Researcher; and Dr. Lê Thúy Hằng, Researcher. Seven representatives from SNUAC welcomed the delegation: Professor Ho Kim, Deputy Director; Professor Eunjeong Oh, Director of Academic Affairs; Dr. Jong-Cheol Kim, Division of International Exchanges; Professor Ilhong Ko, HK Research Project; Professor Dae-yeong Youn, Southeast Asia Center; Professor Yong Kyun Kim, Director of the Vietnam Center; and Dr.  Jaeseok Myung, Vietnam Center.

VNU-IVIDES oversees comprehensive interdisciplinary research on territorial integrity, combining Vietnamese studies and development studies. Its Vietnamese studies research focuses on compiling historical records, ethnographic materials, and geographical accounts concerning the mountainous and highland regions along Vietnam’s borders, as well as its maritime and island territories. Its development studies research, meanwhile, focuses on developing sustainable development strategies tailored to regional characteristics. The Institute also organizes the International Conference on Vietnamese Studies every four years to promote international research in the field and offers medium- and long-term Vietnamese language programs for international researchers.

The visit by VNU-IVIDES can be seen as a follow-up to a meeting held on July 3, 2024, when former Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visited SNUAC and met with SNU President Hong Lim Ryu and SNUAC Director Suhong Chae. During the meeting, he expressed his hope that Seoul National University would serve as a hub for Vietnamese studies research cooperation in South Korea. Subsequently, the Vietnamese side designated VNU-IVIDES as the institution responsible for coordinating research collaboration and academic exchanges in Vietnamese studies.

During the meeting, the visiting delegation proposed expanding researcher exchanges, participation in academic conferences, and joint publication of research findings. SNUAC, in turn, requested access to and the loan of historical records, ethnographic materials, and geographical accounts compiled by VNU-IVIDES for use in archaeological and historical research. SNUAC also expressed its interest in receiving an invitation to the next International Conference on Vietnamese Studies, scheduled for 2029.

Recognizing the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, the two institutions agreed to revise the draft MOU previously developed through correspondence and proceed with its signing in the first half of 2027.