Strengthening education and research cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech republic: Delegation of the European Cooperation Center and the Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia visits Hanoi University and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vietnam
On May 4, 2026, a delegation from the European Cooperation Center (ECC), Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), and the Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia (FE USB), paid a working visit to Hanoi to promote educational cooperation, scientific research, and academic exchange between higher education institutions in Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
The delegation included:
- Dr. Phan Dao – Director, European Cooperation Center (ECC), Ton Duc Thang University;
- JUDr. Zdeněk Strnad, Ph.D. – Vice-Chairman of the Academic Senate, University of South Bohemia;
- Assoc. Prof. Ladislav Rolínek, Ph.D. – Vice-Dean, Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia;
- JUDr. Martin Slobodník, Ph.D. – Head of the Department of Law, Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia.
Promoting Educational and Academic Cooperation with Hanoi University
At Hanoi University (HANU), the delegation met with the university leadership to discuss strategic directions for future cooperation.
The delegation was received by:
- Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Trao, Ph.D. – President of Hanoi University;
- Dr. Nguyen Thi Quynh Hoa – Head od Academic Affairs Department;
- Dr. Nguyen Thi Nhai – Deputy Head of International Cooperation Office;
- Dr. Do Van Anh – Dean, Faculty of Business Administration and Tourism;
- M.A. Nguyen Thi Dieu Huong – Vice Dean, Faculty of International Studies.
Discussions focused on:
- Student and faculty exchange programs;
- Undergraduate and postgraduate educational cooperation;
- Organization of international scientific conferences;
- Joint research activities and international scientific publications.
One of the key topics attracting particular attention from all parties was the gradual restoration of Czech language education in Vietnam.
Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Trao shared that before 1990, Hanoi University had a Czech language department and annually trained approximately 50–70 students and doctoral candidates who later pursued studies in former Czechoslovakia. Following the elevation of Vietnam–Czech Republic relations to a Strategic Partnership in January 2025, restoring Czech language education is considered increasingly relevant to developing high-quality human resources and strengthening educational exchange between the two countries.
Dr. Phan Dao noted that more than 100,000 Vietnamese citizens are currently living, studying, and working in the Czech Republic. Since 2013, the Vietnamese community has officially been recognized as a national minority in the Czech Republic. Therefore, expanding Czech language education would not only support education development but also contribute to people-to-people diplomacy, cultural exchange, and broader cooperation opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism.
JUDr. Zdeněk Strnad also expressed strong support for this initiative and emphasized the willingness of the University of South Bohemia to cooperate with HANU and ECC in future Czech language education programs.
Discussions with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vietnam
Later that afternoon, the delegation visited and held discussions with representatives of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Hanoi.
The delegation was welcomed by:
- Ms. Eva Urbanová – First Secretary, Head of the Commercial and Economic Section;
- Ms. Dominika Makovijčuk – Vice Consul.
The discussions covered various issues related to educational cooperation, people-to-people exchange, investment opportunities, and particularly visa policies for Vietnamese students pursuing studies in the Czech Republic.
Embassy representatives shared that the Czech Republic is currently implementing the Režim Student program and priority interview scheduling mechanisms to support students and doctoral candidates participating in joint educational programs, scholarship schemes, and English-taught academic programs between Vietnamese and Czech universities.
However, for Czech-language study programs, obtaining visas remains challenging due to extended processing times and relatively limited approval rates.
During the meeting, the delegation reiterated the importance of expanding Czech language education in Vietnam as a long-term strategy to strengthen human resource connectivity, educational cooperation, public diplomacy, and future economic, trade, and investment collaboration between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
New Momentum for Vietnam–Czech Republic Educational Cooperation
This working visit further reaffirmed the role of the European Cooperation Center (ECC), Ton Duc Thang University, as an important bridge promoting higher education cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
Amid rapidly developing bilateral relations between the two countries, cooperation programs in education, research, and academic exchange are expected to continue expanding, contributing to high-quality human resource development, innovation promotion, and enhanced international collaboration in the coming years.
During their stay in Northern Vietnam, the delegation also visited Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site – and paid tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
Selected photos from the delegation’s working visit in Hanoi on May 4, 2026.
