Based on the cooperation agreement signed on July 6, 2018, between the Faculty of Biology (HNUE) and the Faculty of Science and the Graduate School of Science and Technology (Niigata University, Japan), in recent years many students, graduate students, and Ph.D. candidates from the Faculty of Biology have been invited to join international training courses on marine biology. The course took place at the Sado Marine Biological Station (SMBS), part of the Sado Island Center for Ecological Sustainability, Niigata University. This activity was funded by the Sakura Science Exchange Program.
This year’s course welcomed participants from Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong (China), and Japan. Alongside lecturers from Niigata University, three visiting professors were invited: Dr. Sylvain Agostini (Institute of Development Research, New Caledonia), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Hung Son (Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education, Vietnam), and Prof. Dr. Ishwar S. Parhar (Toyama University, Japan).
The Faculty of Biology selected Doan Tran Yen Linh (first-year student, Class K74CLC) and Nguyen Thanh Ha (third-year student, Class K72A1) after an assessment of English proficiency and academic knowledge to meet the course’s requirements. For both students, the trip to Japan was more than just an academic program - it was a journey to discover Japan’s culture and to connect with international friends from six different countries.
After a long flight from Hanoi via Hong Kong (China) to Narita International Airport (Japan), the students navigated public transport independently, traveling by bus to central Tokyo and locating their pre-booked hotel. Although it was their first time in Tokyo, they quickly adapted and explored the city, visiting the iconic Tokyo Skytree beside the Sumida River. Built in 2012 by 100 experts, this 634-meter tower serves as both a broadcasting station and an observation deck. Its design, inspired by traditional Japanese pagodas, is earthquake resistant. From the 350m and 450m observation floors, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city. Tokyo offers a blend of modern skyscrapers, luxury shopping streets, Disneyland and DisneySea, alongside cultural and historical treasures such as the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, Japanese gardens, tea ceremony traditions, and kimono performances.
The next morning, the students departed from Tokyo Station on the high-speed Shinkansen to Niigata City. There, they met fellow participants and, guided by Dr. Kento Kawasaka, took a bus to Niigata Port and then a high-speed ferry to Sado Island - Japan’s sixth-largest island. The Sado Center for Ecological Sustainability includes three facilities: the University Forest, the Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation and Satoyama Restoration Station, and the Sado Marine Biological Station (SMBS).
At exactly 1:00 p.m., the students arrived at SMBS and were welcomed by Prof. Hironori Ando, the station director. At 2:00 p.m., the first two lectures began, introducing the Sea of Japan, marine life, and taxonomy (Prof. Ando and Assoc. Prof. Omori). These lectures were also streamed online for students and lecturers from all six participating countries.
The eight-day program had a tight schedule, with morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Students attended lectures, joined field trips, and practiced research techniques: snorkeling to observe and collect nearshore marine organisms, taking research boats offshore to collect plankton and benthic animals, and bringing samples back to the lab for analysis, species identification, illustration, and reporting.
This year’s course also addressed microplastic pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems through a lecture by Dr. Sylvain Agostini. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Lân Hùng Sơn introduced students to seabirds as bioindicators of marine ecosystem health. The combination of theory, fieldwork, lab research, literature review, and group discussions created a highly engaging learning environment that inspired all participants.
Outside the classroom, students explored Sado Island’s natural beauty - lush forests, crystal-clear waters - and its rich cultural history. They visited the Sado Island Gold Mines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a major gold and silver mining area, the island had suffered severe environmental damage, pushing many species to the brink of extinction, including the endangered Japanese Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon). Thanks to intensive conservation and reintroduction efforts, the species now thrives again on the island, with hundreds of individuals. Today, Japanese Crested Ibis is a symbol found on many local products and souvenirs.
Participants also visited the Marinepia Nihonkai Aquarium in Niigata City and the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno Park, Tokyo. Social activities - from the welcome “Icebreaking” dinner to the farewell BBQ party on the beach - helped strengthen friendships among students from different countries.
Nguyen Thanh Ha shared: “This was an unforgettable experience. I had so many firsts - my first time in Japan, my first time feeling the energy of Tokyo, my first time seeing the wild beauty of Sado Island, my first time snorkeling, and my first time studying with so many international friends. Although the course wasn’t long, I learned so much from my teachers and peers. I am deeply grateful to the Faculty of Biology, HNUE, for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”
Doan Tran Yen Linh reflected: “At first, I was nervous, but thanks to the guidance and care of our teachers and the warmth of international friends, especially Japanese students, I quickly gained confidence and adapted to the new environment. The course constantly surprised me and fueled my curiosity to explore the mysterious marine world. I will never forget the sight of sea creatures among the rocks or the glowing sea fireflies at night. This trip opened new perspectives and opportunities for me, and I will share this inspiration with friends when I return.”
Sharing with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Hung Son after the course, Professor Ando said: “Thank you for sending such outstanding students. They were active learners, engaged in discussion, and showed great teamwork with international peers. This year’s participants presented the most vivid and creative illustrations and reports compared to previous years. I look forward to more collaborations in future courses.”
Prof. Parhar added: “Toyama University also offers international exchange courses in life sciences. I hope to invite Vietnamese students and graduate students to join these programs soon.”
This short-term exchange program in Japan marked a special milestone for the Faculty of Biology, HNUE. It not only enriched students’ scientific knowledge but also strengthened international friendships and academic cooperation, paving the way for future research and learning.
Some photos from the journey to explore Japan and participate in the 2025 International Marine Biology Training Course by students of the Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education
Figure 1. Students from six countries participating in the international training course on Marine Biology at Niigata University, Japan.
Figure 2. Students visiting the Tokyo Skytree.
Figure 3. Students experiencing a trip to Niigata City by Shinkansen bullet train.
Figure 4. Gathering with international students at Ryotsu Port on Sado Island.
Figure 5. Lecture by Prof. Ando on the diversity of marine life in Japan.
Figure 6. Lecture by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Lân Hùng Sơn on Seabirds - indicator species for the health of marine ecosystems.
Figure 7. Students preparing for a diving activity to observe marine organisms on Sado Island.
Figure 8. Students practice diving to observe and collect marine specimens for research.
Figure 9. Boat trip to the open sea for practical sampling of plankton and benthic organisms.
Figure 10. Observing collected marine organisms in the laboratory.
Figure 11. The group visits the Sado Island Gold Mine, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
Figure 12. Two students from the Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education, present their final research results at the end of the course.
Figure 13. Prof. Ando presenting Certificates of Completion to two students from the Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education.
Figure 14. Breakfast and evening BBQ party marking the farewell and conclusion of the international students’ course.
Figure 15. The group visits the Niigata City Aquarium Museum.
Figure 16. Students exploring the diverse collections in the museum.
Sources news and photos by Faculty of Biology