KOREA - VIETNAM CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

CELEBRATING HANGEUL DAY 2024

Written by Le Thi Kim Ngan

Translated by Luong Gia Khang (A2K11)

On the afternoon of October 30th, at the Faculty of Education Auditorium, the CTU Elite High School in collaboration with the Can Tho King Sejong Institute hosted the "Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchange in Celebration of Hangeul Day 2024." The event aimed to promote the positive cultural values of both Vietnam and Korea, providing an opportunity for students at the CTU Elite High School to learn more about the origins of the Korean alphabet and unique aspects of Korean culture.

During the event, students learned about Hangeul Day through a presentation by a teacher from Korea. Thanks to the warmth of the teacher and translators from the Institute, the students gained a deeper understanding of the Korean alphabet's history. During the 15th century, Koreans primarily used Chinese characters for writing. However, since the Korean language is quite different from Chinese in terms of grammar, writing in Chinese proved challenging. Thus, literacy was mostly limited to the upper class in Korea. In 1443, King Sejong decided it would benefit Korea to have its own alphabet, and he set about making this vision a reality. By 1444, the new alphabet was completed. In 1997, UNESCO recognized Hangeul as a world cultural heritage. Today, Hangeul is celebrated for its logic and scientific design. Since 2013, Hangeul Day (한글날) has been observed annually on October 9 in Korea as a national holiday to commemorate the creation of the Korean alphabet.

Photo: Introduction to Korean Culture

Following the presentation on the history of Hangeul, students also received insights into Korean culture, including traditional attire like Hanbok and Korean cuisine. A highlight of the program was the decoration activity, where students creatively designed T-shirts and tote bags using colored markers. The most unique designs were chosen by the organizers, who awarded meaningful prizes to the creators. This activity created unforgettable memories for participants, as most designs drew inspiration from the beauty of both cultures and the cultural fusion between Korea and Vietnam.

Photo: Impressive designs from the T-shirt and tote bag decoration activity

Another exciting activity in the program was the introduction and sampling of dishes from Korean and Vietnamese cuisine. The organizing team elegantly displayed these foods and drinks on a large table to showcase to the students. Among the featured Korean items were kimbap, kimchi, fried chicken, and rice milk, alongside familiar Vietnamese traditional treats like banana cake, cassava cake, and spring rolls.

After the culinary experience, the program concluded with a cultural exchange performance. The energetic and confident students from CTU Elite High School presented captivating performances, including modern dance to Korean music, a Vietnamese solo, and a solo song in French. The duet of "Let It Go" in English wrapped up the program, filling all attendees with excitement and joy.