The role of family and multicultural events in fostering Vietnamese students’ tolerance and inclusiveness in the context of globalisation

Fostering tolerance and inclusiveness in multicultural societies is increasingly important, especially in education. Understanding how parental involvement and school activities shape students’ attitudes toward these values is crucial for promoting social cohesion and preparing younger generations for a globalized world. This study examines how parental involvement and multicultural school activities influence Vietnamese students’ tolerance and inclusiveness using the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) on a sample of 2,069 students. The results show that parental discussions on cultural–historical knowledge, collaboration, and conflict resolution, along with participation in multicultural events, are positively associated with both outcomes. However, item-level analyses reveal uneven development across specific dimensions. Notably, tolerance and inclusiveness decline at higher school levels despite continued exposure, suggesting structural and socio-cultural influences. The study highlights the importance of informational input quality and the combined role of family and school environments in fostering global citizenship and social cohesion.