As the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 unfolds in Hainan this week, a Vietnamese student's journey embodies the event's theme of 'Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation.' Ngoc Ha Bui, a Journalism and Communication scholar at Tsinghua University, shared her cross-border experiences during the March 24-27 gathering attended by global leaders and policymakers.
Born in a northern Vietnamese province bordering the Chinese mainland, Bui credits her academic trajectory to regional educational partnerships. 'From high school Chinese classes to Tsinghua scholarships, these opportunities show how cooperation transforms lives,' she told attendees at a youth-focused side event.
With nearly 50 discussion sessions examining Asia's evolving economic and social landscape, Bui emphasized youth's dual role: 'We're both beneficiaries of integration and vital bridges for cultural understanding.' Her aspirations to work in international communication after graduation mirror the forum's emphasis on nurturing next-generation leaders.
The conference comes as educational exchanges between Vietnam and the Chinese mainland reach record levels, with over 20,000 Vietnamese students currently studying in China through bilateral programs.
