K24 Travel Management students gain hands-on professional experience in Hue City

From August 24 to 30, 2026, the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism at the University of Finance - Marketing organized the Professional Practice 1 course in Hue City for 55 students of the K24 Travel Management major. Accompanied by faculty lecturers, the seven-day field trip provided students with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real tourism environment while strengthening their professional skills and understanding of local cultural heritage.

Held under the theme “Dạ thưa xứ Huế bây chừ” (“Hue, Here and Now”), the program went beyond a compulsory academic component. It offered students first-hand exposure to destination management, tour operations, cultural interpretation, and the development of heritage-based tourism products.

Throughout the program, students explored major heritage and cultural attractions in Hue, including the Complex of Nguyen Dynasty Tombs, with visits to the tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang, and Khai Dinh, as well as the Hue Imperial City, Thuy Xuan Incense Village, and other cultural and spiritual destinations.
Under the guidance and assessment of lecturers Truong Minh Hien and Tran Thi Nguyet Tu, students practiced on-site tour interpretation, group coordination and tour operation procedures, as well as handling situations that may arise during an itinerary.
These field-based activities enabled students to translate theoretical knowledge into practical experience while developing their ability to analyze destinations and evaluate tourism products from both operational and visitor-experience perspectives.

The program also introduced students to Hue’s cultural tourism offerings after dark. A notable experience was enjoying Hue Royal Court Music on the Perfume River, giving students a deeper understanding of the relationship between cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism development.
Through evening field surveys, students examined the operation of cultural tourism services and considered how local identity and heritage values can be incorporated into distinctive and sustainable tourism products.
These activities encouraged future tourism professionals to look beyond individual attractions and consider the broader visitor journey, service quality, cultural authenticity, and long-term sustainability when developing tourism programs.

The professional practice program concluded with the “Hương Sắc Cố Đô” Gala Dinner, planned and organized by the students themselves. The event provided an opportunity to review learning outcomes, recognize individual and group efforts, and strengthen teamwork after a week of intensive professional activities.
The gala was attended by Assoc. Prof. Le Trung Dao, PhD, Vice Rector of the University of Finance - Marketing, whose presence and words of encouragement reflected the University’s continued emphasis on practice-oriented education and experiential learning.
Professional Practice 1 in Hue provided K24 Travel Management students with valuable opportunities to develop professional competencies, strengthen teamwork and adaptability, and gain a deeper appreciation of the role of cultural heritage in contemporary tourism.

By integrating academic knowledge with real-world professional environments, the University of Finance - Marketing continues to strengthen practice-based education, enabling students to build the knowledge, skills, and professional confidence needed for their future careers in tourism and travel management.

Kim Phung
Photos: K24 Travel Management students