Achievements

Great news from DTU: Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha, Head of the Faculty of Japanese Language under the School of Languages & Humanities and Social Sciences at Duy Tan University, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Government of Japan.

Letter from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha

This is one of Japan’s most prestigious honors, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to promoting friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

A Prestigious Honor from the Japanese government

In a letter from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, Mr. Ito Naoki recognized Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha’s significant and practical contributions to training high-quality Japanese-language human resources and fostering academic and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan.

“While serving as Head of the Faculty of Japanese Language and teaching Japanese at Foreign Trade University in Hanoi in previous years, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha worked tirelessly to build the foundation for business Japanese education in Vietnam. She has made tremendous contributions to promoting exchanges with Japanese universities and businesses, expanding opportunities for Vietnamese students to study and work in Japan, and training many outstanding Japanese-language professionals.

Since officially assuming the position of Head of the Faculty of Japanese Language at the School of Languages & Humanities and Social Sciences (LHSS), Duy Tan University in 2021, she has continuously promoted Japanese-language education while playing an important role in developing Japanese-language human resources in Central Vietnam through the systematic design and improvement of academic programs.

In addition, she has served for many years as Chairperson of the Japanese Textbook Evaluation Council, contributing greatly to improving the quality of Japanese-language education.

I would like to convey to her a congratulatory message from Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. I believe this recognition is truly special and a well-deserved tribute to her years of unwavering dedication and tireless efforts,” quoted from a letter by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam.

Nearly half a century of dedication

“Receiving the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan is both a profound honor and a deeply moving experience for me. This recognition is not only a personal distinction, but also a meaningful acknowledgment of generations of lecturers and students in Japanese Studies, as well as all those who have accompanied us in nurturing the friendship between Vietnam and Japan. This prestigious award serves as a tremendous source of motivation for us to continue contributing to stronger mutual understanding and enduring cooperation between our two nations,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha

After graduating from Foreign Trade University in 1978 with a major in Japanese Interpretation and Translation, Nguyen Thi Bich Ha began her long journey dedicated to teaching Japanese and training high-quality human resources in Vietnam.

During her career, she continued advancing her expertise by earning a Master’s degree from Tokyo Woman’s Christian University in Japan and a PhD from Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Over 13 years in leadership roles at Foreign Trade University, she focused on developing Japanese-language programs closely linked to economics and commerce while strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and Japanese universities and businesses.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha joined the School of Languages & Humanities and Social Sciences (LHSS) at DTU in January 2021 because she recognized the university as a dynamic and innovative educational environment that strongly emphasizes the development of foreign-language programs aligned with practical social and business needs.

“Japanese-language education today must integrate language learning with knowledge of economics, culture, technology, and international working skills. Our faculty focuses on three key directions: 

Enhancing students’ practical Japanese communication abilities; expanding internship and employment opportunities through partnerships with Japanese companies and universities; and building a faculty team with strong research capabilities and an innovative teaching spirit. 

DTU students are dynamic, proactive in pursuing new knowledge, and eager to grow in an international environment. This has become a source of inspiration and motivation for me to continue contributing to the development of Japanese Studies at DTU.”, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha.

Lifelong commitment to Japanese-Language Education

Throughout nearly 50 years in education, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha has consistently pursued the goal of improving the quality of Japanese-language education in Vietnam.

In addition to teaching and academic management, she has served as Chairperson of the Japanese Textbook Evaluation Council under Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training since 2003. She has also directly taught Business Japanese programs on Vietnam Television (VTV) and at the Vietnam-Japan Human Resources Cooperation Center (VJCC) since 2002.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha (second from left) received

a Certificate of Merit from Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2021

With the overarching goal of helping train generations of young people with global integration capabilities and promoting Vietnam-Japan friendship through education, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha was awarded the title of “Distinguished Teacher” by the President of Vietnam in 2014 and received a Certificate of Merit from Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2021.

Promoting international cooperation and AI applications in Japanese-language education at DTU

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha and the faculty members of DTU’s Japanese Language Faculty have been actively strengthening connections with Japanese universities, organizations, and businesses to provide students with the best opportunities for study and internships, including:

-    Establishing partnerships with JISSEN Women’s University and sending students to study in Japan, 
-    Cooperating with Japan’s MIKAZUKI Group, 
-    Sending DTU students to internships beginning in March 2026, 
-    Developing online exchange networks with Japanese universities such as Nanzan University, Tamagawa University, Okinawa University, and Suzuka University, involving large numbers of students from both countries, 
-    Signing academic exchange agreements with Showa Women’s University in Japan.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha presents degrees to DTU students of Japanese language in 2026

Integrating AI into Japanese-language education

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha said: “Beyond international cooperation, Japanese-language education must undergo strong innovation to keep pace with the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is creating profound changes, especially in foreign-language education and translation today. Japanese-language training at DTU aims to develop comprehensive competencies for learners in the Digital Era, combining flexible Japanese-language use in technology-driven environments, effective AI utilization in study and work, and the cultivation of critical thinking, communication skills, and cultural understanding.

In addition, our Japanese-language curriculum is oriented toward Commerce and Business fields. As Central Vietnam expands connections with Japanese enterprises in Tourism, Services, Technology, Manufacturing, and Logistics, the need for Japanese-speaking professionals with strong expertise and professional working skills has become more important than ever.”

With her highly effective contributions to education, especially in promoting cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Japan, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha has been honorably awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Government of Japan.

(Media Center)