The award ceremony of the 2024 Mekong-ROK Video Contest, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of Korea) and organized by KASEAS, took place in December 2024. Focusing on the theme of Mekong-ROK exchange and cooperation, the contest received 62 video entries, leading to a highly competitive selection process. Six entries were chosen for the Final Round, and the video created by students from the School of Languages – Social Sciences and Humanities (NN-XHNV) won the Second Prize of 700,000 won.

Images Announcing the Prize-Winning Videos on the Website

The contest’s specific theme centered on envisioning cooperation between Korea and the Mekong region at a certain future point, providing information about partnership projects or relations between Korea and the countries in the Mekong River region, stories related to Korea – Korea and countries in the Mekong River region, or other open-ended topics. The student group, consisting of Luu Quynh, Tran Thi Minh Nguyet, and Do Huu Anh Tai, chose to introduce the conical hat (nón lá), cao lầu, kimchi made from mango and papaya (a combination of Korean and Vietnamese cuisine), and kimbap. Do Huu Anh Tai is a K26 graduate and valedictorian in Tourism Korean, and Tran Thi Minh Nguyet is a student in the Department of Korean Studies who is set to receive her diploma on January 21, 2025.

The Group’s Contest Video

According to Minh Nguyet: “I decided to join the contest because of the encouragement and support I received from Ms. Kim Zaehi (lecturer in the Department of Korean Studies). She knew that I truly love creativity and want to learn more about the cultures and cuisines of both Korea and Vietnam, so she chose to pair me with the other two students (Luu Quynh, Anh Tai) to work on this video project. Throughout the preparation process, she supported our group significantly with knowledge and technical guidance to complete the contest video. She not only shared her experience in creating videos but also helped us understand the deeper significance of cultural connection and international cooperation between Korea and the countries in the Mekong region, resulting in a very well-rounded entry."

Minh Nguyet added: “I deeply value this opportunity because it helped me learn, gain experience, and improve my skills. I felt extremely surprised and happy to receive the award. It was more than I had expected and made me feel very proud. This prize not only acknowledges our efforts but also serves as a major motivation for me to keep striving and developing in the future.”

Ms. Kim Zaehi Receives a Certificate of Commendation from the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs

Leveraging the extensive domestic and international network of the Korean Association for Southeast Asian Studies, the contest attracted many entries showcasing a wide range of perspectives and creative ideas. Numerous submissions impressed the judges with in-depth explorations of Mekong-ROK culture and a forward-looking vision of future cooperation, demonstrating both creativity and depth. Most of the participants were young people from Korea and the Mekong countries. This event not only highlighted the achievements of the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF) projects but also helped to strengthen the foundation for future generations’ collaboration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to implement various initiatives to further enhance Mekong-ROK cooperation in the coming years.