Educational cooperation as a pillar of Vietnam-Japan relations: The case of Vietnam Japan University

Abstract

Since the twentieth century, Vietnam-Japan relations have evolved through periods of tension and cooperation, with a sustained emphasis on partnership and development. While existing scholarship has focused primarily on economic, political, and diplomatic dimensions, educational cooperation - particularly in higher education - remains comparatively underexplored. This article addresses this gap by analysing educational cooperation as a structured component of Vietnam-Japan relations through the case of the Vietnam Japan University (VJU). Drawing on a qualitative case-study approach and document analysis, the study examines how policy commitments, resource allocation, and joint governance are translated into institutional design and measurable outcomes. The findings indicate that educational cooperation at VJU operates as an institutionalised mechanism linking diplomatic intentions with human resource development, reflected in governance structures, partnership networks, and academic outputs. At the same time, the case reveals constraints related to governance complexity, financial sustainability, and crosscultural integration. By situating VJU within broader frameworks of education diplomacy, soft power, and higher education internationalisation, the article contributes to the literature by demonstrating how educational cooperation can function as a structured and operational “pillar” of bilateral relations, while also highlighting its context-dependent limitations.