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The men's division match was fast-paced, with both teams competing fiercely on the court.

To strengthen educational ties between Taiwan and Vietnam and promote cross-cultural exchanges among young people, the Education Division in Ho Chi Minh City organized the “2026 International Student Futsal Friendship Match and Cultural Exchange“ at Can Tho University from May 19 to 21. The event brought together student football teams from Taiwan and Vietnam for three days of sport, cultural activities and school-to-school exchange.A total of eight teams from five institutions participated in the event, including Can Tho University, Tra Vinh University, Can Tho University Elite High School, WuFeng University, and National Taitung University Affiliated Physical Education Senior High School. Both men's and women's competitions were held during the tournament.

At the opening ceremony, Educational Counsellor Wei-Chih Lin noted that football is one of the most popular and unifying sports among young people in Vietnam. He emphasized that the event was not only a sports competition but also an important platform for cultural understanding and educational cooperation. Through football, Chinese language learning, and Vietnamese cultural experiences, students were able to build friendships, learn about each other's educational systems, and explore future study opportunities. The matches showcased both athletic talent and teamwork. The women's team from National Taitung University Affiliated Physical Education Senior High School, the champion of Taiwan's 2026 National Futsal Championship, competed against students from Can Tho University Elite High School. In the men's division, WuFeng University played friendly matches with teams from Can Tho University and Tra Vinh University, highlighting the discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship of students from both countries. In addition to the football matches, students participated in cultural exchange activities, including learning football-related Chinese vocabulary and experiencing traditional Vietnamese cuisine. These activities extended the exchange beyond the playing field and into the classroom and everyday life.

The event also led to the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs): one between WuFeng University and Can Tho University, and another between National Taitung University Affiliated Physical Education Senior High School and Can Tho University Elite High School.

Professor Tran Trung Tin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Can Tho University, expressed his appreciation to the Educational Counsellor Wei-Chih Lin from Education Division, for promoting educational connections between universities in the Mekong Delta and Taiwan. He noted that while previous cooperation had focused mainly on academic exchanges, this was the first time that sports had served as the foundation for broader institutional collaboration, opening a new chapter in Taiwan–Vietnam educational exchanges.

Representatives from participating institutions also welcomed the opportunity for international interaction. Faculty members from Can Tho University described the event as a valuable learning experience for students who rarely have opportunities to compete internationally. Representatives from Tra Vinh University thanked the Education Division for creating a platform that allowed Taiwanese and Vietnamese students to connect and build lasting partnerships. Student participants shared that football helped them overcome language barriers and develop friendships through teamwork and shared experiences.

Counselor Lin stated that educational cooperation between Taiwan and Vietnam extends beyond classrooms and academic research. Sports, culture, and language learning provide meaningful opportunities for young people to interact and learn from one another.

He added that the event helped Vietnamese students gain a better understanding of Taiwan's educational environment while strengthening long-term cooperation in student mobility, talent development, and educational exchange.

Participating institutions also agreed to continue their cooperation. Universities and schools in the Can Tho region are expected to visit Taiwan this summer for football matches and cultural exchange activities. Future tournaments will be hosted alternately by participating institutions, with students looking forward to reuniting at Can Tho University again in five years. Through these ongoing efforts, a single friendship match is expected to grow into a sustainable platform for educational cooperation and people-to-people connections between Taiwan and Vietnam.

Video highlights of the 2026 International Student Futsal Friendship Match and Cultural Exchange Program are available online.

Students from Five Taiwanese and Vietnamese Schools and Eight Teams Participate in the Opening Ceremony of the Friendship Match.

2026 International Student Futsal Friendship Match and Cultural Exchange

The women's division featured quick play and youthful spirit.

Counselor Wei-Chih Lin witnessed the MOU signing between WuFeng University and Can Tho University, and between National Taitung University Affiliated Physical Education Senior High School and Can Tho University Elite High School.

Taiwanese and Vietnamese students participate in a cultural exchange.