Over the past 2 decades, the SUNY Brockport Vietnam Programme, an educational cooperation programme between the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations (DAFO) and the USA-based College at Brockport, has been implemented effectively in Da Nang.

US students presenting a TV to a poor family in Da Nang’s Hoa Vang District in 2018

Since 1999, a total of 257 students from the USA have arrived in Da Nang for studying, and conducting research into Vietnamese politics, history, culture, and languages, under the SUNY Brockport Vietnam Programme.

Under the programme, these US students have attended courses, ranging from one month to 4 months, at an educational establishment at 29 Dang Thai Mai in Thanh Khe District. They have been taught by lecturers from the Da Nang University of Education, and the Academy of Politics Zone 3.

During their stay in the city, the foreign students have become actively involved in social work and picnics, as well as helping Agent Orange (AO)-affected victims, single senior citizens, and people with serious diseases in the locality. Most of these US students have gained good academic results.

Thanks to the programme, the US students have understood more about the lives of the Vietnamese people, and the peaceful foreign policy of the Party and the State of Viet Nam.

Ms Grace Pendell from New York attended the SUNY Brockport Vietnam Programme in Da Nang in 2017. Currently, she is living in Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An City and she speaks Vietnamese very well. She said that she was very impressed by the friendliness and hospitality of Da Nang’s residents.

“Everywhere I go, I get friendly smiles from locals, which makes me feel very warm and happy", Ms Grace Pendell added.

Vietnamese-American Kevin Dinh grew up in Illinois, and came to Da Nang in 2015 for studying. He is now working as an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh City.

He said both Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have left deep impression on me. He showed his keen interest in many international events and festivals in Da Nang, especially the annual Da Nang International Fireworks Festival.

Most specially, after their studying period in Da Nang, many American students have been actively involved in demanding justice for AO-affected victims in Viet Nam by raising their voices at international forums, and helping American people to understand more about the country and people of Viet Nam.

Mr Jim Lachman from New York is a typical example. He has voiced his support for AO victims in Viet Nam at international events, and has visited Da Nang many times to present gifts to local AO victims.

Mr Jim Lachman has often met with US students to share his interesting experiences in Viet Nam, and encourage them to come to this Southeast Asian country for studying.

Dr Susan Herrmann, Director of the SUNY Brockport Vietnam Programme, said the programme has been effectively implemented in Da Nang. The city has seen a growing number of American student arrivals.

Notably, SUNY Brockport Vietnam has spent over 2 billion VND on carrying out many charity activities in Hoa Vang District, the city-based Care Centre for Orphans, the Centre for Social Protection, and the Thanh Tam Special School.

Mr Pham Huu Hoa, Vice Chairman of DAFO, highlighted the uniqueness and efficiency of the SUNY Brockport Vietnam programme in significantly contributing to promoting the city’s people-to-people exchange activities.