Korean for Tourism

1. Program Overview

In recent years, the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and South Korea has continued to flourish through extensive economic cooperation and vibrant cultural exchanges. As a result, the demand for professionals with strong Korean language proficiency has increased significantly across various sectors, including tourism, business, entertainment, education, and international services. This trend offers excellent career prospects for students pursuing a degree in Korean Language for Tourism.

The Korean Language for Tourism program prepares graduates with advanced Korean language proficiency, comprehensive knowledge of Korean culture and society, and a solid understanding of tourism, travel services, and international tour operations. Students also gain valuable hands-on experience through internships and practical training at restaurants, hotels, resorts, and golf courses serving Korean visitors, as well as opportunities to study in South Korea through international exchange programs.

Students of the Faculty of Korean Language, Duy Tan University, posing beside the "Kum Namu (Wish Tree)" displayed in front of the Faculty Office.

To achieve these goals, the Faculty of Korean Language is committed to recruiting highly qualified lecturers with extensive industry experience in Korean enterprises, ensuring that students acquire practical knowledge aligned with current market needs. In particular, students receive 100% instruction from native Korean lecturers in Pronunciation and Speaking courses from their first year, helping them develop accurate pronunciation and natural communication skills from the outset.

In addition, the Faculty's large team of Korean visiting lecturers provides students with numerous opportunities to communicate directly with native speakers on campus, enhancing their fluency and confidence in real-life communication.

Guided by the learner-centered educational philosophy, learning extends beyond the classroom through a variety of academic clubs, including the Korean Language Club and the English Club. These clubs provide opportunities for students to practice Korean and English communication, interpreting skills, and Korean-language tour guiding while deepening their academic understanding through peer interaction.

Students are also encouraged to develop their personal interests and talents through extracurricular activities such as the K-Pop Club and the Taekwondo Club, both of which are organized weekly under the guidance of faculty members.

The Korean Language for Tourism program equips graduates with the ability to:

  • Demonstrate strong Korean language proficiency, achieving at least TOPIK Level 4 (equivalent to CEFR B2).
  • Apply fundamental knowledge of tourism, travel services, and international tour operations in professional settings.
  • Understand Korean culture, history, geography, and economics to communicate and work effectively with Korean individuals and organizations.
  • Develop analytical thinking, teamwork, and research skills that support lifelong learning and further academic pursuits.
  • Possess effective communication and presentation skills, computer literacy, and proficiency in a second foreign language, including English (minimum TOEIC 450), Chinese (minimum HSK Level 2), or Japanese (minimum JLPT N4).

2. Career Objectives

The program aims to produce graduates who are proficient in Korean, knowledgeable about Korean culture and society, and well equipped with professional expertise in tourism, travel services, and international tour operations.

Graduates gain practical experience through internships and industry-based learning at restaurants, hotels, resorts, golf courses, and other hospitality establishments serving Korean guests, while also having opportunities to participate in study programs in South Korea.

Upon graduation, students are qualified for careers in hotels, resorts, restaurants, golf courses, airports, and tourism enterprises in positions such as:

  • Tour Operator
  • Korean-speaking Tour Guide
  • Restaurant Supervisor or Manager
  • Front Office Officer
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Flight Attendant
  • Other tourism and hospitality-related positions

Professional Skills

Communication and Information Delivery

Graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Korean for effective Vietnamese–Korean and Korean–Vietnamese translation and interpreting.
  • Communicate confidently in Korean in tourism and hospitality service environments.

Communication and Teamwork

Graduates will be able to:

  • Deliver presentations, conduct guided tours, and present reports effectively.
  • Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Foreign Language and Information Technology Competencies

Graduates are expected to achieve:

  • Korean: Minimum TOPIK Level 4
  • Second Foreign Language: English (TOEIC 450 or above), Chinese (HSK Level 2 or above), or Japanese (JLPT N4 or above)
  • Computer literacy equivalent to the University's intermediate information technology competency requirements.

Career and Internship Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, graduates of Duy Tan University's Korean Language Program may pursue careers in a wide range of organizations, including:

  • Korean-speaking Tour Guide or Tour Operator at travel agencies, tourist attractions, and shopping centers.
  • Korean-speaking Front Office Officer at hotels and resorts.
  • Customer Service Representative in companies and retail chains serving Korean customers.
  • Korean Translator or Interpreter at Departments of Foreign Affairs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations.
  • International Relations Specialist at Departments of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Service Centers, and translation and notarization offices working with Korean partners.
  • Human Resources, Recruitment, Training, Safety Management, or Administrative Officer/Manager in domestic and international organizations where Korean is used as a working language.