Vietnamese Language Ambassadors

Lanny Phetnion is one of five persons honored with the title of Vietnamese Language Ambassador in the “Search for Vietnamese Language Ambassadors in the Vietnamese Community Abroad 2024” contest. This year, participation soared to 158 contestants, organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (SCOV).

Vietnamese Language Ambassadors 2024. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Tran Vu Hanh My, an 8-year-old Vietnamese expatriate in Japan, is another proud recipient of this title. With bright eyes and a hopeful heart, she shared her desire to learn Vietnamese so she can communicate with her beloved grandparents and cousins back in Vietnam. Hanh My dreams of becoming a foreign language teacher, passionately sharing the Vietnamese language with Japanese students and fostering a deeper connection between cultures.

Joining them are other remarkable ambassadors, including Thuy Le Scherello from Germany, Nguyen The Duong from Australia, and Nguyen Thi Thu Loan from Algeria. Each embodies a profound commitment to promoting the Vietnamese language and culture across the globe.

Lanny Phetnion serves as a university lecturer in Laos, actively engaged in compiling and teaching Vietnamese, while Nguyen Thi Thu Loan teaches the language to both the local Vietnamese community and foreigners in Algeria.

These ambassadors are pivotal in promoting cultural exchange and inspiring the study of Vietnamese among expatriates, contributing to the preservation and recognition of the language within the diaspora.

A volunteer spirit

According to Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the SCOV, operating entirely on a volunteer basis, these ambassadors dedicate their time and effort without compensation, reflecting a deep sense of responsibility toward their communities and their country.

“They assist learners, particularly young Vietnamese expatriates, in understanding their roots through their mother tongue. Learning Vietnamese transcends mere linguistic acquisition; it encompasses embracing the traditions and customs of their homeland,” affirmed Hang.

She said these ambassadors play an integral role in maintaining and promoting the Vietnamese language within the global community. 

“They are not only educators but also essential in preserving and conveying Vietnam’s cultural identity to younger generations born and raised abroad and to international friends”.

Diverse efforts to honor the language

The SCOV is currently executing the Vietnamese Language Celebration Project, which includes a variety of activities designed to instill love and pride for the Vietnamese language and culture among generations living abroad.

Nguyen Manh Dong, Deputy Chairman of the SCOV, highlighted initiatives such as the establishment of a Vietnamese Language Bookcase, which has garnered remarkable attention and advanced the teaching and learning of Vietnamese globally. The Day of Vietnamese Language Celebration is also part of this broader initiative.

He said ministries, representative agencies, Vietnamese cultural centers, and the diaspora have actively organized forums and seminars to share best practices in teaching Vietnamese across various countries. Currently, there are approximately 200 Vietnamese language centers operating in the US, 39 in Thailand, 33 in Cambodia, and 13 in Laos.

“Looking ahead, the Committee is considering organizing Vietnamese language classes by region, such as in Europe or Southeast Asia, where there is significant interest in these teaching efforts. This represents a potential new direction,” said Dong.

Encouraging the younger generation

One of the project’s long-term goals is to encourage the younger generation of Vietnamese born abroad to preserve their language.

Various programs and activities, rich in content and innovative in execution, aim to foster an environment conducive to enhancing Vietnamese language skills among expatriate youth.

Deputy Minister Hang underscored the importance of the annual “Vietnam Summer Camp” program, where proficiency in Vietnamese is a key selection criterion. This program enables young Vietnamese expatriates from around the globe to engage in cultural and historical activities while interacting with local youth, facilitating a deeper understanding of their homeland and providing opportunities to practice their Vietnamese language skills.

In 2022, for the first time, a storytelling contest in Vietnamese was introduced within the camp framework, helping young expatriates appreciate the significance and beauty of the language while fostering their commitment to preserving and promoting it within the global community.

As these dedicated individuals work tirelessly to promote the Vietnamese language, they embody a profound love for their culture and a desire to bridge the gap between generations, ensuring that the essence of Vietnam continues to thrive across borders.

Lien Ha

Đăng Tin Sở Ngoại Vụ