This study explores the motivation and challenges faced by English majored students at Thu Dau Mot University when learning with native English-speaking teachers (NESTs) and non-native English-speaking teachers (NNESTs). Using a quantitative approach, a structured questionnaire was distributed to 50 participants to gather data on their experiences, preferences, and perceptions. The findings showed that students were positively motivated to learn English with both NESTs and NNESTs, although the sources of motivation differed. While NESTs are appreciated for their native pronunciation, interactive teaching methods, and cultural authenticity, NNESTs are valued for their clear explanations, shared language background, and supportive attitudes. The study also highlights challenges associated with each teacher group. It was found that students struggled with understanding native accents and feel intimidated by the fluency of NESTs, while they experienced limited cultural exposure and pronunciation variation with NNESTs. The results suggest that a balanced and inclusive approach to English language teaching - drawing from the advantages of both teacher types - can enhance the quality of language education in Vietnamese contexts.

Hoi An is a well-known travel destination for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors, not only because it has a cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO but also because of its other cultural resources, including craft villages. Serving as both attractions and experiences for tourists, craft villages give them the opportunity to create unique mementos of their vacation while also boosting household income and elevating the status of craft villages. How is Hoi An's tourism industry exploiting this resource in tourism? The article conducts a scientific investigation of the role and current state of crafts in the production of souvenirs for tourism in general, particularly in Hoi An's craft villages such as Thanh Ha pottery and Kim Bong carpentry village, using research on souvenirs, observation techniques, and field excursions. The findings demonstrate that handicraft souvenirs are few, have less appealing designs, and have to compete hard with souvenirs from other localities. These results will facilitate the collaborative efforts of Hoi An's tourism stakeholders to identify strategies that guarantee the advantages that tourism brings to craft villages and vice versa.