On the morning of 16 August 2026, the University of Danang – University of Economics (UD-DUE) organized the Welcome Day for Freshmen of Cohort 52K in a vibrant atmosphere filled with experiential activities, interactions, and opportunities to explore the learning environment at UD-DUE.

From the early hours, the university campus became a meeting point for thousands of new students. Their faces reflected a mix of excitement and slight nervousness as they first became familiar with the lecture halls, campus, and the UD-DUE student community. A dedicated team of volunteers was on hand to support and guide the freshmen through administrative procedures and the day’s activities. Many families also came to check in, sharing the joy and pride of their children’s first day entering university life.

At the Open Day area, the 52K freshmen were introduced to the system of student clubs, teams, groups, and various extracurricular activities. This space allowed students to explore areas matching their interests, develop their talents, expand their networks, and gradually establish their personal imprint in university life. Interactive activities, games, and challenges at the booths created a lively atmosphere, helping members of Cohort 52K quickly get to know and connect with one another.

Notably, at the Faculty of Tourism booth, lecturers directly introduced the Faculty, its training programs, and ongoing projects. In particular, the international SOHO project – “Smart, Optimized, High-quality, and On-demand Tourism Innovative Education for Sustainable and Green Development” was prominently presented. This is an Erasmus+ project funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), with the participation of the University of Danang and partners from Europe and Asia, running from December 2023 to November 2026.

The SOHO project aims to support higher education institutions in applying smart technologies, renewable energy sources, and digital technologies to create sustainable, efficient, and personalized learning experiences in tourism education. Key activities include the deployment of a Learning Management System (LMS), the development and updating of training programs and materials, organization of specialized training courses, establishment of Knowledge and Competence Centres to support sustainable tourism, as well as communication and dissemination of project results. Introducing the project during the Welcome Day helps the freshmen gain early access to international learning opportunities, enhance digital competencies, and orient their career paths toward green - smart -sustainable tourism trends right from their first days at UD-DUE./.