- Tiếng Việt Live
Vietnamese Language & Culture Immersion
- Vietnam
Sustainable Development Goals in Action
Dates |
|---|
June 22–July 19, 2026 |
Apply By |
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April 24, 2026 |
Time left to apply:
40 hrs
Intensive Vietnamese language instruction with qualified local instructors
10 hrs
Cultural workshops — music, martial arts, cooking, calligraphy & more
Credit
49 Contact Hrs
Apply Early
20 Spots Only
Academic Host
Program Partner
Program Overview
Embark on a dynamic 4-week study abroad program in Vietnam, with its population of over 97 million people and strategic position as a gateway to Southeast Asia. Vietnam serves as one of Australia’s most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, with bilateral trade reaching AUD $15.8 billion in 2023. This comprehensive 4-week program offers Australian students an immersive experience combining intensive Vietnamese language learning with deep cultural engagement and professional development opportunities, designed to strengthen Australia-Vietnam relationships under the New Colombo Plan framework.
Students will achieve functional Vietnamese proficiency through 40 contact hours of structured language instruction while participating in authentic cultural workshops including traditional music and martial arts, costume fitting, local market experiences, and cooking sessions. The program provides transformative learning experiences through visits to significant historical and cultural sites, including the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta, alongside professional engagement with the Australian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. These experiences develop students’ cross-cultural competencies, regional awareness, and language abilities while creating lasting connections between Australian and Vietnamese communities, preparing them for future careers in diplomacy, trade, education, and development cooperation within the dynamic Indo-Pacific context.
Key Program Elements
Immersive Vietnamese Language Learning
- Attend intensive Vietnamese language lessons (40 contact hours total) with qualified local instructors to develop functional proficiency
- Practice language skills in real-world settings through market visits, community interactions, and cultural workshops
- Build survival-level Vietnamese communication through daily immersive engagement with locals
- Develop Asia capability and intercultural competency essential for careers in diplomacy, trade, education, and development
Develop Cross-Cultural Competencies and Professional Awareness
- Build communication and intercultural skills through direct engagement with local communities, enterprises, and diplomatic networks
- Visit the Australian Consulate to understand contemporary Australia-Vietnam diplomatic and trade relationships
- Gain firsthand perspective on Vietnam’s economic transformation and what it means for the Indo-Pacific region
- Reflect on your own professional practice through the lens of a rapidly developing nation
Hands-on Experience of Vietnamese Culture
- Visit historical places like Cu Chi Tunnels and significant historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City
- Attend workshops on traditional Vietnamese music, martial arts and cooking
- Take a day trip to the Mekong Delta and engage with rural Vietnamese communities.
Rigorous Learning, Real-World Application
Delivered in partnership with Ton Duc Thang University’s Center for Vietnamese Studies and Language, the academic program follows a structured curriculum with progressive skill-building across all four weeks.
Language Curriculum (40 hrs)
- Vietnamese alphabet, tone system, and pronunciation fundamentals
- Core vocabulary for greetings, nationality, occupation, location, daily activities
- Progressive conversation, speaking, listening, and writing practice
- Dictation exercises and vocabulary consolidation
- Aligned to Level 1 of Vietnam’s Language Competency Framework (CEFR equivalent)
Topic Sessions (10 hrs)
- Vietnamese alphabet, tone system, and pronunciation fundamentals
- Core vocabulary for greetings, nationality, occupation, location, daily activities
- Progressive conversation, speaking, listening, and writing practice
- Dictation exercises and vocabulary consolidation
- Aligned to Level 1 of Vietnam’s Language Competency Framework (CEFR equivalent)
Cultural Workshops (10 hrs)
- Traditional Vietnamese music and martial arts (Vovinam)
- Áo dài fitting and traditional costume exploration
- Vietnamese calligraphy writing workshop
- Nón Lá (conical hat) decoration workshop
- Local market immersion and Vietnamese cooking session
Assessment
- Attendance and participation — 20%
- Midterm test (multiple choice, essay, Q&A) — 30%
- Final group presentation — 50%
- Official transcript of records issued by TDT University
- Course duration: 49 class hours (1 class hour = 50 minutes)
UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action for this Program
SDG 4: Quality Education
- Gain practical language and intercultural skills through intensive Vietnamese language learning
- Develop intercultural competency that cannot be replicated in traditional classroom settings
- Explore language acquisition methodologies and education systems firsthand
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Visit local markets and business districts to explore Vietnam’s economic transformation
- Engage with the Australian Consulate to understand sustainable growth and employment opportunities
- Examine how Vietnam has achieved remarkable economic development across diverse sectors
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s urban development and sustainable city planning approaches
- Visit rural Mekong Delta communities to understand community development challenges
- Observe how Vietnam balances rapid urbanisation with cultural preservation and sustainability
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Support long-term Australia-Vietnam partnerships through educational collaboration and cultural exchange
- Develop networks that advance cooperation in trade, education, and regional development
- Contribute to institutional relationships within the Indo-Pacific framework
Program Highlights

Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Cu Chi Tunnels

Vietnamese Language Lessons

Vietnamese Cuisine Cooking Class

Mekong Delta Day Trip

Australian Consulate General Engagement
Learning Outcomes
Vietnamese Language Proficiency
Achieve survival-level Vietnamese covering core communication scenarios — greetings, directions, daily activities, and professional introductions.
Skills Developed:
Language Proficiency, Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication
Navigate cultural differences in diverse environments. Understand Vietnamese customs, social etiquette, and communication norms through lived experience.
Skills Developed:
Cultural Sensitivity, Adaptability
Historical & Regional Awareness
Gain deep understanding of Vietnam’s colonial history, war legacy, economic transformation, and its growing strategic role within ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific.
Skills Developed:
Critical Thinking, Historical Analysis
Professional & Diplomatic Networks
Build connections with Australian diplomatic staff, Vietnamese academics, and expat professionals — creating pathways for careers in trade, education, and development.
Skills Developed:
Networking, Career Development
Program Itinerary
Week 1
✈️Arrival, orientation & safety briefing
🗣️10 hrs Vietnamese language (alphabet, tones, pronunciation)
🌏2.5 hrs sessions on Vietnamese culture
🥋Cultural workshop: traditional music & martial arts
🇦🇺Visit to Australian Consulate General
🍜Welcome dinner
Week 2
🗣️10 hrs Vietnamese language (conversation & practice)
🏛️2.5 hrs sessions on Vietnamese history
👘Cultural workshop: áo dài & traditional decorations
🏙️Full-day Ho Chi Minh City heritage tour
📝Midterm presentation
Week 3
🗣️10 hrs Vietnamese language (listening & writing)
📊2.5 hrs sessions on Vietnamese economy
✍️Cultural workshop: calligraphy & Nón Lá decoration
🕳️Full-day excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels
Week 4
🗣️10 hrs Vietnamese language (review & consolidation)
🥘Cultural workshop: market visit & cooking session
🚤Full-day trip to Mekong Delta
🎓Final presentation & assessment
🥂Farewell dinner
Program Snapshot
- Location
Vietnam
- Eligibility
Undergraduate Students
- Cost
Twin-sharing: AUD $3,980
Single-room: AUD $5,220
- Suitable Disciplines
Asian Studies, International Relations, Linguistics, Education, Development Studies, Cultural Studies, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Geography, Public Policy, Development Economics, Journalism, and Business.
- Program Date
June 22–July 19, 2026
- Application Deadline
April 24, 2026
- Last Payment Date
April 24, 2026
Time left to apply:
Pricing
Inclusions
- 27 nights accommodation in a centrally located 3-star hotel (District 1, HCMC)
- All field trips: Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, HCMC city tour, Australian Consulate
- 27 breakfasts, welcome dinner, and farewell dinner
- Professional English-speaking local guides for all cultural tours
- Carbon offset (~3 metric tons CO₂/participant) via TerraBlu
- 40 hours Vietnamese language instruction + 10 hrs topic sessions + 10 hrs workshops
- AC coach transportation for all program activities and transfers
- 24/7 Support
- Orientation & safety briefing, tips for guides and drivers, all taxes
- Official transcript of records from Ton Duc Thang University
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Travel insurance (required)
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Meals not specified in itinerary
FAQs About the Program
Not at all. The course starts from absolute zero — alphabet, tones, and basic pronunciation — and builds progressively across all four weeks. By the end, you’ll have survival-level Vietnamese for real-world conversations.
Yes. The program includes 49 contact hours of instruction assessed through attendance, a midterm test, and a final presentation. You’ll receive an official Transcript of Records from Ton Duc Thang University, which can be submitted to your home institution for credit transfer consideration.
This is a New Colombo Plan Consortium Program. Eligible Australian undergraduate students may receive NCP mobility grants that can significantly offset program costs. Check with your university’s study abroad office (Griffith, UQ, or QUT) for specific funding details and application processes.
We collect dietary requirements before departure and ensure all group meals accommodate individual needs. Vietnamese cuisine naturally offers a wide range of options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes.
Only 20 Spots.
One Unforgettable Month.
If you feel ready to take your study experience to new heights, fill out the details in the “Apply Now” form, and we will get in touch with you shortly.
Questions? Email info@authentica.com or call +1 800 414 4138