Traditional Korean Culture Celebrated in Hanoi
HANOI — Traditional Korean folk music resonated through the University of Social Sciences and Humanities at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, on Saturday.
The event featured Samulnori, a traditional Korean percussion performance that has largely faded from university scenes in Korea. Vietnamese students from the Korean language department’s troupe showcased this vibrant art form, rekindling its spirit on campus.
The performance launched the “Vietnam Central and Northern Universities Korean Language Department Festival,” hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam and the Korea Foundation. Since its inception in 2010, the festival has created opportunities for Korean language students to interact and share ideas.
Dressed in traditional Korean attire, the 15 student performers delivered an energetic show, complete with drums and gongs. Their performance garnered enthusiastic applause from approximately 300 spectators.
Mai Thuy, the troupe leader, expressed her excitement, stating they practiced intensely for over a month. “I was very nervous, but once we started playing with excitement, I completely forgot about it,” she remarked.
In addition to the performances, a culture quiz was held, attracting 60 participants from about 20 universities. Modeled after a popular Korean quiz show, students answered questions that challenged their knowledge, such as whether King Sejong created the alphabet Hangul in 1446.
Outdoor booths featured hands-on activities and traditional Korean games prepared by several universities, including Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Thang Long University, and FPT University.
Students from the prestigious Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam promoted King Sejong’s legacy and shared homemade kimbap, emphasizing the significance of his contributions to Korean culture. Hoang Linh, a third-year student, explained their goal of sharing the meaning behind King Sejong’s creation of Hangul.
Korean language studies have become increasingly popular in Vietnam, reflecting the growth of Korean businesses in the country, leading to high enrollment rates in Korean programs.
Seo Won-sam, consul general at the Korean Embassy in Vietnam, noted that deeper ties between Korea and Vietnam are essential as more people learn about each other’s cultures.
“The students learning about Korean culture and language are a valuable asset to shape the future of both countries,” he stated.
Woo Hyung-min, director of the Korea Foundation’s Vietnam office, added that the students’ roles in fostering connections between Korea and Vietnam are boundless.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
