Students Excited About Learning Labor Relations and Labor Law in Vietnam

Since 2015, the Scheinman Institute and the ILR International Programs Office (IP) has offered a Vietnam Engaged Learning program in Ho Chi Minh City, where ILR students join students from Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) in learning about labor relations and conflict resolution in the context of Vietnam.

This annual two-week program, which takes place over winter break, was founded by Richard Fincher (ILR '73), an adjunct faculty member of the Institute and a member of the Scheinman Institute Advisory Board. TDTU has a dedicated college of human resources and labor relations, roughly similar to ILR.

During their time in Vietnam, ILR students live on the TDTU campus and attend a series of lectures delivered by the TDTU faculty and other labor relations professionals such as Betterwork Vietnam. Foreign Service Officers from the US Consulate also meet with the students to discuss relations between the United States and Vietnam. Additionally, students have the opportunity to visit landmarks and cultural sites, including a tour of the Mekong River basin. Some years there is a tour of a garment factory.

In the second week of the program, students are involved in a debate workshop culminating in a friendly scrimmage between students. There is also a role play in multicultural negotiations. During the spring semester, ILR students are required to complete a research paper based on their experience on the relevant topic of their choice.

The ILR students who participated in the January 2025 Engaged Learning Program to Vietnam are highlighted below. These students were selected for their educational knowledge and demonstrated interest in international exchange with foreign students.

The ILR students typically become lifelong friends with the Vietnamese students and continue contact through social media. Over the years, some students have entered careers in the foreign service and international NGOs.

Marian Alvarez '27

“I am honored to be a part of the Vietnam Engaged Learning Program and excited to learn more about labor relations within a cross-cultural environment. I look forward to connecting with my cohort and meeting the TDTU students!”

Courtney Huang ‘26

“I look forward to learning more about Vietnamese labor relations and getting to interact with my Ton Duc Thang University peers.”

Ivor Mills ‘27

“I am so excited and grateful to be taking part in the Vietnam Engaged Learning program, as I want to learn more about Vietnamese culture, as well as continue to learn about the topics that interest me in Labor Relations as they are experienced within the Vietnamese context!”

Ciara O’Connor ‘26

“Through this program, I hope to learn more about international labor relations as well as Vietnamese culture and history. I'm really excited about the opportunity to connect with and learn from the students at TDTU!”

Joaquin Rivera ‘25

“In the future, I hope to do work in either International Labor Law or broader International Relations, so I am so excited for this opportunity to visit TDTU and learn about labor relations in Vietnam, and get a deeper understanding of the nation as a whole!”

Sean Sung ‘27

“I'm eager to learn about Vietnamese culture, labor relations, and more, and I can't wait to start my journey in Vietnam!”

Chelsey Wang ‘26

“Having always been interested in labor, globalization, and technology, I am incredibly excited to explore these topics further in the context of Vietnam. I greatly look forward to this cultural immersion, research, and community-building opportunity.”