RMIT Vietnam’s lanyard culture: More than just an accessory

At RMIT Vietnam, not all students may get Distinction (DI) or High Distinction (HD) grade for every course, but they will surely have their personal lanyard collections! What turns such seemingly simplistic accessories into such fascination for students here?

Our own kind of medal

Let's begin with the default lanyard. Designed with the RMIT logo patterning on a plain black canvas, it has been the first accessory that most RMIT Vietnam students would first identify themselves with. Not only does it display each student's names proudly with the RMIT logo, but it also marks the beginning of a new vibrant university journey, especially at RMIT Vietnam.

Then come the variants. RMIT Vietnam thrives as a dynamic hub with diverse communities, encompassing various clubs, departments, and engaging events like Carnival Day, Careers Festival, and Sports Day, just to name a few. These gatherings and groups usually offer lovely freebies for student participants, and one of the most popular items is the lanyard. Moreover, lanyards are also among the popular choice of merchandise chosen by student-led fundraising club activities for charitable causes, such as aiding the care of cats at Saigon South Campus or engaging in meaningful initiatives to help those who are in need.

Each lanyard represents a belief, a memory, an event, or a milestone achieved during the student's journey at RMIT. Beyond that, lanyards have also become a tangible reminder and a medal of these experiences, fostering nostalgia and camaraderie among students. The value of a lanyard from then lies not just in its physical form, but in the personal significance it holds for the collector. As time goes by, lanyards have become familiar and unique symbols for fostering unity and sense of belonging among students and staff and served as emblems within the community.

For me, I still vividly remember how my friend and I were obsessed with the lanyard themed for Pride Week last year. Despite participating in many games and booth activities, we couldn't get our hands on it. Then on the last day called Wear It Purple Day, there was an online quiz challenge where the top three fastest and most accurate participants would win the lanyard. Surprisingly, my friend gave a helping hand by playing first to figure out the correct answers and then shared them with me so that I could win the game, and I eventually got the lanyard. To me, the RMIT Pride Week lanyard is not just a winning prize but a symbol of our friendship, reminding me of how wonderful our bond is and making that memory even more cherished.

The lanyard's looping life

Once a lanyard’s journey on the student’s shirt collar comes to an end, it doesn’t simply put back into a sad corner and be forgotten. Some common practices among students are exchanging lanyards with each other, selling them back, or giving them away. These acts give the lanyard a new life with new companions. Alternatively, they can be presented as cherished gifts to friends, becoming a token for their friendships.

On the other hand, in line with RMIT Vietnam's commitment to sustainability, there have been numerous initiatives to upcycle these lanyards into practical items. One such initiative is the Lanyard Upcycle Project, a new project collaborated between Dr Justin Battin from the School of Communication & Design and The Little Swing. This project aimed to give the used lanyards a new purpose by transforming students' and staff's lanyard collections into practical, eco-friendly items like tote bags, pencil cases, and passport holders. By doing so, all the staff and students could preserve their memories in a more sustainable way. The project was a great success, upcycling a total of 1,614 lanyards across two rounds.

Furthermore, to elevate the lanyard culture to a new and more sustainable level, the FADSEN project by the RMIT Green Generation Club introduced lanyards made from 100% cotton, crafted from donated fabric, which had a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic fibers. This initiative promoted a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to RMIT students' everyday items.

More than just accessories

In conclusion, lanyards at RMIT symbolise more than mere accessories; they embody a culture and the students' identity, fostering a strong sense of belonging. In keeping with the spirit of sustainability, this lanyard culture is evolving to promote a more sustainable campus, becoming a significant hallmark within the RMIT community. By transforming these symbols of identity into practical, eco-friendly items, we not only ensure the lanyard culture continues to thrive but also enhance our commitment to sustainable consciousness.

This article is written by Thanh Thao Pham, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam, and does not reflect the views of RMIT University.

RMIT Vietnam’s lanyard culture: More than just an accessory