British Deputy Ambassador: BUV Advances UK-Vietnam Education Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

“I’m very optimistic about the future for the UK and Vietnam, and I’m even more optimistic because I know the BUV will continue to sit at the heart of it,” emphasised British Deputy Ambassador Marcus Winsley.

In June 2025, students from nine top-tier UK universities have gathered at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Hanoi for a special reception, hosted by the British Embassy in Vietnam and British University Vietnam (BUV). They are one of many student delegations that join BUV’s Cultural Immersion Programme this year.

The gala dinner brought together distinguished guests, including Marcus Winsley, British Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam; Professor Raymon Gordon, BUV Vice Chancellor; Professor Rick Bennett, BUV Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and senior representatives from BUV and partner universities. They were joined by students and faculty from the University of Salford, Glasgow Caledonian University, City St George’s, Nottingham Trent University, University of Surrey, Goldsmiths, Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth University, and University of Sussex.

Internationalisation at its core

Since the beginning of summer 2025, BUV has welcomed nearly 100 international students as part of its Culture Immersion Programme. During their time at BUV, these students have actively engaged in a wide range of academic and cultural activities, gaining meaningful insights into Vietnamese culture and university life.

From exploring some of Vietnam’s most renowned cultural and historical landmarks like Bat Trang Ceramic Museum, Hoa Lo Prison, the Temple of Literature, to experiencing the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay and delving into ethnic minority life at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, students gained first-hand insights into the country’s rich heritage and cultural diversity.

“What left the strongest impression on me was the visit to the ethnic village,” shared Monica, student from City St. George. “The people were so nice. I couldn’t imagine someone coming to my home like that, but they welcomed us in and shared everything.”

Beyond cultural exploration, the programme also provides students with opportunities to engage with Vietnam’s innovative business environment, from burgeoning startups to established corporations, offering valuable insights into how the business sector drives the nation forward.

Speaking about this initiative, British Deputy Ambassador Marcus Winsley highlighted: “This is a remarkable chance for young British people to travel a great distance and experience an environment that is profoundly different from their everyday surroundings in the UK. Observing the ambition local people have, the strong sense of community, the care they show for one another, and their willingness to support each other, there is much that students can learn from these qualities.”

Adding to this, Professor Rick Bennett, BUV Deputy Vice-Chancellor shared: “”BUV is dedicated to shaping a new generation of young people who are culturally competent and prepared with practical skills for the international workforce. We believe these students will grow into business leaders who come back to Vietnam to build even stronger commercial connections between our countries. We hope to welcome even more international students in the future, for short-term programmes like this, as well as for full degree programmes.”

BUV leadership emphasised that with internationalisation as a strategic pillar, the successful visit of international students through the Culture Immersion Programmes represents a meaningful highlight in the university’s global mobility efforts.

Through growing partnerships with leading universities worldwide, including top-tier UK institutions, BUV continues to enrich its educational offerings. These collaborations not only provide seamless transfer and progression opportunities for their academic journey but also equip students with the global competencies needed to thrive in an interconnected world.

Fostering Education Collaboration Towards Sustainability

A distinctive feature of this year’s Culture Immersion Programme is its special focus on sustainability, with a wide range of activities organised and categorised into “Think Green”, “Live Green”, and “Do Green”.

Students engage in thought-provoking discussions on sustainability with experts and BUV students (“Think Green”), experience how sustainability is embedded in everyday life in Vietnam (“Live Green”), and take concrete action through tree planting, participating in a trash picking activity in Ha Long Bay, and joining a hackathon where they team up to devise AI-powered solutions for sustainability (“Do Green”).

“Bringing these young people together under BUV’s guidance, in a country as dynamic as Vietnam, with both opportunities and challenges in AI and sustainability, is a fantastic opportunity. I know they will take it forward with great enthusiasm,” British Deputy Ambassador Marcus Winsley shared.

Ms. Claire McIntyre, Head of International Partnerships, Arts University Bournemouth, also reflected on the impact, stating, “The trip has been so inspirational for our students. It offered them the opportunity to explore different cultures, network with different students, and become global citizens that can give back to the community in an international way.”

This focus on sustainability aligns perfectly with BUV’s spirit as a trailblazer in Vietnam for its investment in sustainable governance, green education, and infrastructure, culminating in the university being awarded the prestigious EDGE green building certification, a global standard of excellence for sustainable construction.

Vietnam and the UK have long shared a strong partnership in education, built on a foundation of mutual commitment to academic excellence, cultural exchange, and workforce development. Within this context, initiatives like the Culture Immersion Programme, which go beyond building cultural bridges to cultivating a generation of socially responsible young people, are driving this collaboration forward.

What began as a culture exchange has evolved into a powerful platform for sustainability-driven learning and cross-border education collaboration

“The UK-Vietnam relationship is on a fast upward trajectory,” British Deputy Ambassador Marcus Winsley concluded. “BUV has been on this journey from the start, making an enormous contribution. I’m very optimistic about the future for the UK and Vietnam, and I’m even more optimistic because I know the BUV will continue to sit at the heart of it.”

Designed to offer international students a deep dive into Vietnam’s diverse culture and dynamic landscape, the Culture Immersion Programme reflects BUV’s strong commitment to fostering internationalisation and creating an engaging, globally connected learning environment. Strategic initiatives like this contribute to the university’s goal of increasing partnerships with top-tier universities and expanding the international student population.

A few unforgettable snapshots from the journey: