Law and Economic Law Students Gain Practical Experience at YKK Vietnam: From the Lecture Hall to the Japanese Corporate Environment

With the objective of continuously connecting theory with practice, FAIE consistently prioritizes organizing field visits and practical learning programs at enterprises for students. Recently, students of the Law and Economic Law programs had the opportunity to directly experience the professional working environment at YKK Vietnam Co., Ltd., one of the world’s leading wholly Japanese-owned enterprises.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for students to gain a firsthand perspective on the operations of a global corporation, better understand Japanese corporate culture, quality management processes, and particularly the role of the legal department within a manufacturing enterprise.

YKK Vietnam: A Model of Discipline, Technology, and Sustainable Development

Established in Vietnam in 1998, YKK Vietnam (under YKK Group Japan, founded in 1934) is the world’s leading brand in zipper and architectural hardware manufacturing.

Upon entering the factory at Amata Industrial Park (Bien Hoa, Dong Nai), the group of students was immediately impressed by the serious, orderly, and disciplined working atmosphere characteristic of Japanese culture. Production areas were scientifically arranged, clean, and strictly compliant with occupational safety regulations.

Students directly observed the automated, closed-loop zipper production lines – from casting zipper teeth, dyeing, weaving tapes to packaging. All stages were closely monitored to ensure “on schedule – on quality – in compliance with international standards,” helping students understand why YKK has maintained its global leadership for nearly a century.

In addition, YKK’s commitment to sustainable development was clearly demonstrated through its strict application of ISO 14001 (environmental management), CO₂ reduction projects, material recycling initiatives, and proactive legal compliance, even exceeding Vietnamese regulatory standards where applicable.

An Eye-Opening Dialogue: When Theory Meets Practice

Beyond the factory tour, the most valuable component of the visit was the direct exchange and dialogue session with representatives from various YKK departments.

A notable aspect was that YKK staff not only answered students’ questions but also proactively posed counter-questions involving real-life situations. This enabled students to clearly recognize the differences between theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom and the practical operations of an enterprise.

In particular, for students oriented toward careers in legal affairs, those from the Law and Economic Law programs engaged in an in-depth discussion with the head of the company’s legal department.

“A legal affairs professional must not only understand the law but also understand people and how a business operates. Most importantly, they must be able to anticipate and prevent legal risks before they occur,” shared a representative of YKK Vietnam’s Legal Department.

The dedicated sharing of experiences in contract drafting, document review, and case handling strongly inspired students and helped them more clearly define their future career paths.

“The Cycle of Goodness” and Lessons Learned

The visit concluded with a sincere explanation from YKK regarding the company’s current inability to accept interns (due to information confidentiality requirements and strict procedures). However, YKK affirmed its desire to continue accompanying students through future visits and career orientation programs. This professionalism and sincerity left a lasting impression on the entire group.

The philosophy “Cycle of Goodness” – “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others” – was the greatest lesson students brought back from the trip.

As shared by student Luong Nguyen Thuy An (Class 24LU111) in her reflection: “Through this experience, I gained a clearer understanding of the importance of integrating classroom knowledge with professional practice, and I was able to identify the skills I need to further develop, such as foreign language proficiency, office informatics skills, and critical thinking.”

FAIE would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Board of Management and staff of YKK Vietnam Co., Ltd. for facilitating the visit, sharing valuable knowledge, and inspiring students. The University will continue to strengthen enterprise cooperation activities to provide students with the most valuable practical learning experiences.