▲ Van Phu Man-duk Middle school. Photo courtesy by Jeju office of education

Everyone knows about the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s. The war was much like the Korean War. In 1964, the South Korean military was dispatched to Vietnam and it was a chance to show to the world South Korea’s power. But to Vietnamese, Korean soldiers were mass killers from overseas, just like Japanese soldiers were to Koreans.

However, today, Korea and Vietnam are interchanging with each other and on Aug. 3, 15 students from Van Phu Manduk Middle School in Vietnam, the sister school of Jeju Jeil Middle School, came to Jeju and toured Jeju’s tourist sites.

15 Vietnamese students were chosen based on their grades. They stayed at homestays for two days and went to nine tourist spots, such as Seongsan Ilchulbong, Manjanggul, and Pacific Land. They also went to the education office, provincial government and even Emart. There were all awesome experiences for the Vietnamese students.

Truding Thj Mai, a girl from Van Phu Manduk school, said, “There are many marvelous things in Korea. Sometimes, I was embarrassed about the different culture but Korean teachers and student leaders helped us. I’m so thankful to them.”

But four days and three nights was not enough time to look around Jeju. Jeju Jeil Middle School frequently communicates with Manduk school and they said this would not change.

Lan, the principal of Van Phu Manduk school, said “I want to come to Jeju again and also Suwon City, near Seoul. And if we have a chance, I want to invite Korean students to Vietnam. It will be very fun.”

They finished their trip smoothly but it was through the efforts of the Jeju Jeil Middle school students, Seongheun and Junhyeok from Jeju Jeil Middle school. Although they could not understand Veitnamese, their volunteer work made the Vietnamese students relax.

Seongheun said, “Actually I thought Vietnam was an underdeveloped county but they are all cheerful and smiling. And they get along amicably regardless of age and gender. It was good to look and see Vietnam’s future positively.”

The world is becoming more globalized. And Vietnam is also a country that we must know and be familiar with. This opportunity was good to let the Vietnamese know about Korean culture and learn about it. I also think we must be proud of our culture and communicate with other countries, such as the Philippines, Indonesia as Jeju Jeil Middle school students.