On October 12, in Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT) and Chosun University (South Korea) held a formal signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement, marking a new milestone in educational partnership between the two institutions. At the core of this collaboration is a joint Bachelor of Tourism Management degree program under a 4+0 model, aimed at developing highly qualified professionals equipped with advanced expertise, foreign language proficiency, and global employability.
An overview of the cooperation agreement signing ceremony
Bringing International Degree Programs Closer to Vietnamese Learners
Under the cooperative project, the Bachelor of Tourism Management features a standard four-year curriculum comprising eight semesters with a total requirement of 110 credits. Students complete their studies in Vietnam through the joint program established between HUIT and Chosun University, subject to approved terms and regulations.
Representatives from Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade and Chosun University at the signing ceremony
A defining feature of the 4+0 model is that students complete the joint curriculum entirely in Vietnam without being required to transfer to South Korea to earn their degree. This approach broadens access to international higher education for domestic learners while enabling local universities to expand academic partnerships and implement globally oriented educational delivery models.
In alignment with the program's strategic objectives, collaboration extends beyond academic exchange to encompass joint teaching, curriculum management, language enhancement initiatives, and immersive experiential activities for students.
English serves as the primary medium of instruction, integrated alongside Korean language modules and course content focusing on Korean language and culture. This structural framework aims to foster specialized management expertise and cross-cultural communication skills—core competencies for students pursuing careers in international tourism and hospitality.
A core goal of the program is cultivating skilled human resources possessed of professional acumen, insights into the South Korean tourism market, and the ability to apply managerial concepts to industry practice. Under the academic framework, students engage with diverse modules covering tourism marketing, travel enterprise management, tourism development, tourism policy, research methodologies, green tourism, and customer experience management.
The curriculum integrates practical fieldwork, industry visits, and capstone projects to help learners connect theoretical knowledge with operational industry challenges. This applied pedagogical model prepares graduates not only to master core concepts but also to analyze, structure, and apply managerial principles across diverse professional settings.
Notably, the program emphasizes Korean language instruction and Korean cultural studies alongside core discipline modules. This strategic focus enhances students' intercultural communication abilities and domain knowledge of a specific market, positioning them to adapt seamlessly when engaging with international partners, enterprises, and global clientele.
Enhancing Direct Partner University Involvement in Degree Delivery
Under the operational plan, Chosun University faculty are scheduled to deliver approximately 40% of the total instructional volume through a hybrid combination of in-person and online lectures. The program also plans to organize a two-week intensive study immersion program in South Korea for enrolled students.
The partnership signing ceremony between the two higher education institutions
The direct teaching involvement of Chosun University faculty represents a key pillar of the partnership, linking the Vietnamese delivery platform directly with South Korean academic faculty and institutional standards.
In addition to formal coursework, the intensive short-term immersion program offers