K-ARTS International Conference 2025: Research and development of Vietnamese dance

This academic event not only provided an opportunity to reflect on the history and traditional values of Vietnamese dance but also served as a forum for exchanging innovative trends, international cooperation, and development directions for dance art in the context of globalization.

Traditional dance performance at Changgyeonggung Palace. (Photo: Phuong Lan)

The conference vividly demonstrated the increasingly important role of dance in cultural exchange, enhancing national soft power, and expanding the influence of Vietnamese art on the international stage.

Professional discussions

The conference marked a significant step in promoting cross-cultural artistic exchange between Vietnam and South Korea, while also serving as a forum to strengthen global dance research cooperation.

A distinctive feature of this event was its connection and coordination by Professor JungRock Seo, a renowned scholar in dance research and international art exchange.

His role not only ensured coherence and depth in the conference program but also created an academic bridge between Vietnamese, Korean, and international scholars.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Sam-Jin Kim, Dean of the Dance School at K-ARTS, emphasized: “We are committed to preserving tradition while innovating and promoting the unique aspects of Korean dance on the international stage.

Through active partnerships with leading universities and cultural organizations worldwide, we strive to enhance the quality of research.

This conference serves as a foundation to strengthen our relationship with the Vietnamese cultural community and expand our academic network.”

The 27th International Conference brought together many esteemed scholars, including Mr. Weonmo Park - Director of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Center for Asia-Pacific, Dr. Hyunseok Kwon - Hanyang University, Dr. Seongah Song - Busan National University, and many other international experts.

The morning session featured three main presentations:

The presentation “From Traditional Art Heritage to Contemporary Cultural Soft Power” by M.A. Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan (Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam) highlighted the role of traditional dance in shaping Vietnamese cultural identity and developing national “soft power”.

The presentation analyzed forms of folk, ritual, and court dances and how they are integrated with modern dance, ballet, and digital technology to preserve heritage and promote culture globally.

Additionally, it proposed international cooperation projects, especially with South Korea, to exchange art, train personnel, organize festivals, collaborate on productions, and apply digital/AI technology in dance preservation and creativity, aiming to develop Vietnamese dance into a global cultural tool.

Experts attending the Conference on November 1st in Republic of Korea. (Source: Organizing Committee)

The presentation “Innovative Thinking in Vietnamese Dance Art Post-1986” by Dr. Le Hai Minh (Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam) analyzed shifts in concepts, styles, and dance training during the Đổi Mới period, opening research directions on creativity and innovation in the new socio-cultural environment.

The presentation “Traces of Ancient Vietnam in Gagaku” by Prof. Mita Noriaki, Director of the Mita Gagaku Research Association (Japan), discussed the historical connection between Vietnam’s Cham dance and Japan’s Gagaku, particularly through movements, music, and rituals.

The subsequent discussion session was lively, with in-depth exchanges between Vietnamese and Korean scholars focusing on the role of dance in contemporary life and interdisciplinary research methods.

Workshops and practical experiences

In the afternoon, the conference continued with Vietnamese dance and Japanese dance workshops, attracting numerous lecturers and students from K-ARTS Dance Department.

Through a lecture on Ê-đê dance by M.A. Hoàng Kim Anh – Head of Dance Department, Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, students experienced firsthand the body language, rhythms, and cultural symbols of Vietnam through distinctive movements and forms.

Not only observing, but they also practiced basic steps, felt the rhythm and grace in each movement, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of how dance conveys stories and cultural values.

Korean students reacted enthusiastically, with many expressing surprise and excitement at discovering a unique form of dance rich in identity yet internationally connected.

Workshop on Vietnam's Ê-đê dance. (Source: Organizing Committee)

Additionally, the Vietnamese expert delegation had the opportunity to comprehensively tour K-ARTS’s modern facilities, from training rooms, performance stages, to theaters, museums, and art exhibitions.

These facilities not only cater to in-depth training needs but are also designed to promote interdisciplinary research, experiment with new performance forms, and connect art with digital technology.

The delegation also attended a traditional dance performance at Changgyeonggung Palace, conducted by K-ARTS Dance School lecturers.

Organizing live performances in modern spaces like Changgyeonggung Palace, where Korean court dance is vividly reenacted, demonstrates that K-ARTS is not only a leading training center but also a crucial hub for preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

The combination of advanced facilities, high-quality training programs, and an international academic environment affirms K-ARTS’s position as a regional leader in Asia, as well as an ideal destination for research collaborations, art exchanges, and developing the creative capacity of future dance artists.

Academic significance and prospects

The 27th International Conference of K-ARTS once again affirmed the position of dance not only as an expressive art form but also as an effective channel for cultural exchange and aesthetic dialogue in the Asian region.

The event clarified the core values of Vietnamese dance, especially in the relationship between tradition and modernity, between local and global.

By analyzing and discussing various forms of Vietnamese dance, as well as its integration with digital technology, the conference opened up multidimensional interdisciplinary research directions, from art history, cultural anthropology to heritage management and national soft power.

Modern, spacious training room at K-ARTS. (Photo: Phuong Lan)

Moreover, the conference created a sustainable academic cooperation platform, promoting the presence of Vietnamese dance in international research, advanced training programs, and cross-border artistic collaboration projects.

Simultaneously, the event opened up new research prospects, including the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in dance preservation and creativity, developing international art exchange models, and leveraging the cultural value of dance as a tool for soft power development and promoting national cultural identity on a global scale.

Vietnamese water puppetry – A highlight at the Sithan 2025 International Festival in Thailand WVR - From November 3 to 5, the Sithan 2025 Festival took place at Khon Kaen University, recognized as the largest international cultural event in ...

The World and Vietnam Report wins 3rd Prize at the National Press Awards 'For the Development of Vietnamese Culture' 2025 WVR - The third edition of the National Press Awards "For the Development of Vietnamese Culture" honoured 95 individual awards and 3 collective awards for ...

Vietnamese cuisine captivates international friends in South Africa On November 7, at the garden within the premises of the Vietnamese Embassy in Pretoria (South Africa), members of the International Diplomatic Spouses Association in ...

43rd UNESCO General Conference: Vietnam's initiative highlights proactive role in shaping global development priorities WVR - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van speaks to the press on the occasion of the 43rd UNESCO General Conference.

International conference on sustainable economic development and business management WVR - From November 13-15, the Academy of Finance will host an international conference themed "Sustainable economic development and business management: opportunities and challenges in ...