As part of Kyoto Sangyo University’s overseas travel program, 5 students and 2 faculty members visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where they toured companies and educational institutions and visited local communities.
The university’s overseas study tour to Ho Chi Minh City began with “KSU Day,” an event that brings alumni and current students together across generations, and included opportunities to hear from local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The group heard in detail from Sango Technologies alumnus Noma Yuma (野間悠磨) about his professional experience overseas, entrepreneurship, fundraising, organizational management, the impact of AI, and other topics.
During their site visits, the group visited a locally produced, locally consumed chocolate brand using Vietnamese cacao and founded by a French entrepreneur. They observed production, quality control, and sales activities conducted by local staff. Through conversations with alumni and members of the Saigon Kamiyama Association, they learned about the importance of communication that takes different approaches to work and cultural differences overseas into account.
The group then held discussions and presentations with students from USSH to gain a better understanding of daily life and student life in Vietnam. They shared views on familiar topics including language learning, food culture, social media, e-commerce, AI, and job hunting, exploring similarities and differences across cultures.
Based at SIHUB, they exchanged views on opportunities to validate ideas and develop joint Japan-Vietnam projects. They learned about local startup support mechanisms and deepened their interest in the possibilities for future student activities and business creation. They also visited FabLab Saigon, where they learned from a woman entrepreneur about practical efforts in manufacturing and community collaboration.
Finally, the group toured a nature education facility and an urban development plan in the Bình Quới district, providing an opportunity to compare both the growth of the city and the lives of local residents. The university indicated that it would continue expanding opportunities for students to broaden their horizons through overseas programs.