The 2025 European Study Tour, organized by VNU University of Economics and Business (UEB), was a 10-day journey filled with meaningful experiences. More than just a trip to Europe, the program provided UEB students with opportunities for international exchange, academic engagement, and comprehensive personal development in knowledge, skills, and global mindset.

This Study Tour, the first of its kind in 2025, was launched by the UEB’s School of International Education. It included five dedicated faculty members from various departments within UEB and ten outstanding students and graduate researchers carefully selected based on academic performance, language proficiency, soft skills, and global integration potential. The delegation comprised four students from UEB-SITE, two from the Faculty of Development Economics, and one student each from the School of Business Administration, the Faculty of Finance and Banking, the Faculty of International Business and Economics, and the Faculty of Political Economy.

During the trip, the delegation had the opportunity to study, exchange, and explore three beautiful European countries: Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece. 

Let's hear the heartfelt thoughts of a faculty member who has been with our participants throughout this emotional 10-day journey.

EUROPEAN STUDY TOUR 2025 JOURNAL

10 Days – 3 Countries – Full of Exciting Experience

On the evening of March 15 at Noi Bai International Airport, I saw the bright, eager faces of students filled with excitement and anticipation. For many, it was their first time traveling abroad, which made the experience even more special. I thought to myself, “The real journey begins at this very moment - not only when we land in Europe.”

After a long flight, we arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria - the starting point of our European journey.

On the first day in Bulgaria, we visited Sofia University, one of the oldest and most influential universities in Eastern Europe. There, we participated in an academic exchange at the Center of Eastern Languages and Culture, gaining valuable insights into their interdisciplinary training programs and multidimensional teaching methods. We also had the opportunity to tour the university’s modern research and training facilities.

Our next stop was the University of National and World Economy (UNWE Sofia), a leading institution in the field of economics in Eastern Europe. Here, we discussed educational models and had a chance to visit a Photo exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Bulgaria diplomatic relations. The event was honored by the presence of H.E. Ambassador Do Hoang Long, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Bulgaria, concurrently accredited to the Republic of Macedonia.

Meeting Ambassador Long and attending this meaningful event was an immense source of pride. I believe this rare experience helped students better understand their role as Vietnamese students engaging in international integration.

We were also warmly welcomed by the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria, where we discussed educational cooperation between the two countries and the role of students in people-to-people diplomacy. Key skills for adapting to and integrating into international environments were also shared. One of the most memorable moments for me in Bulgaria was witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UEB and UNWE Sofia.

Under the witness of Ambassador Do Hoang Long, the signing marked a significant milestone not only in academic exchange but also in paving the way for sustainable academic partnerships. The agreement laid the foundation for future student exchanges, collaborative teaching, research cooperation, and the development of international joint programs, reflecting UEB’s growing global vision and international academic stature.

On the fourth day, we explored the vibrant pedestrian streets of downtown Sofia and visited iconic sites such as the ancient town of Plovdiv - Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city - and the Vanga Museum, a unique spiritual landmark in Bulgarian culture. Skiing on Mount Vitosha also offered an exciting experience of Eastern Europe’s majestic winter landscape.

During our free time, we visited the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - a national religious symbol - the fashionable Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia’s cultural center, and the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. These architectural landmarks reflect the cultural depth of Bulgaria.

Le Huyen Trang, a student from the Faculty of Development Economics, shared:
"Sofia University left a profound impression on me. We had the chance to introduce Vietnamese culture and learn about Bulgarian traditions through heartfelt conversations. I especially enjoyed learning traditional dances and making handmade lucky bracelets—a simple yet warm aspect of Bulgarian culture."

On the sixth day, we arrived in Romania. Our first stop was the University of Bucharest, a national key university and a central institution in Romania’s higher education system. We had a productive meeting with Vice-Rector Constantin Vica, Associate Dean Rodica Ianole-Calin of the Faculty of Economics & Business, and Dr. Alina Cristovici, Director of International Relations. The two sides discussed prospects for joint programs, international scholarships, and faculty and research exchanges.

The delegation also visited the Romanian-American University, where students experienced a U.S.-style educational model actively being adopted in Eastern Europe. We were further honored to be received by H.E. Ambassador Do Duc Thanh, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Romania, concurrently to Montenegro and Serbia. He emphasized the importance of educational diplomacy in connecting institutions and encouraged students to continue embracing knowledge, resilience, and global integration.

Bucharest, Romania’s capital, appeared to me as a vivid blend of tradition and modernity. We visited the Palace of the Parliament - the world’s second-largest administrative building - a symbolic monument of Romania’s historical era. Students also explored Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, the National Museum of Art, the Old Town Lipscani, the Bucharest Arch of Triumph, and Stavropoleos Church - a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

Greece was the third and final destination of our tour. At Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - the largest public university in Greece - we explored their interdisciplinary academic model, visited their libraries and laboratories, and engaged in academic exchanges with local students. These sessions not only improved students’ language and intercultural communication skills but also broadened their international perspectives in their respective disciplines.

Our next visit was to the International Hellenic University, envisioned as Greece’s premier international university. Dr. Antonis Chantziaras and Dr. Ioannis Kroustalis introduced us to integrated learning models, dual-degree programs, and skills-based teaching approaches. Students participated in a simulated class, enhancing their understanding of practical teaching methods, critical thinking, and problem-solving - key skills in today’s global work environment. Discussions with university leadership, including Vice-Rector Prof. Kostas Diamantaras and executive board member Prof. Stergios Leventis, laid the groundwork for potential long-term academic cooperation.

The final two days of the trip were spent back in Bulgaria. We engaged in open dialogue with the Vietnamese Youth and Student Association in Bulgaria. I was delighted to see UEB students confidently sharing their academic experiences in English, learning about life abroad, and understanding how the Vietnamese community supports each other overseas.

We also visited the World Bank office in Bulgaria, where experts shared the role of international financial institutions in supporting economic transitions in regions such as Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia - topics of great relevance to UEB students. The tour of the Karlovo Rose Oil Factory and Chateau Copsa Winery offered practical insights into Bulgaria’s value-added production models that combine tourism, agriculture, and processing industries within global export chains.

To me, this first 2025 Study Tour across three European nations was more than just a work trip or an educational support mission. It was a truly special journey - where I witnessed the remarkable growth of our students day by day, from international classrooms and partner meetings to unforgettable moments in Europe’s historic cities.

This journey has built a strong bridge between UEB and its European partners, extending beyond academic cooperation to cultural exchange, diplomacy, and human development. Personally, I gained deeper insight into UEB’s role in organizing meaningful international exchange programs that generate real value for learners.

The journey has ended, but the unforgettable memories, profound emotions, and acquired knowledge will forever remain a part of my personal and professional journey with UEB.