Bridges spreading language and nurturing relations between the Lao and Vietnamese peoples

Laos is the first country to have a representative honored as "Vietnamese Language Ambassador Abroad" for three consecutive years.

On the occasion of the Vietnamese Language Honor Day in the Overseas Vietnamese Community - a meaningful event to raise awareness and spread the value of the Vietnamese language in the overseas Vietnamese community as well as international friends, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam shared many profound comments with VNA reporters in Vientiane.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam expressed his pride that Laos is the first country to have a representative honored as “Vietnamese Language Ambassador Abroad” for three consecutive years. This is not only a worthy recognition for individuals who have made many contributions to preserving, spreading and developing the Vietnamese language in Laos, but also an honor for the entire Vietnamese community here.

This also clearly reflects the close and strong bond between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples, and proves that the Vietnamese language is increasingly vital and widely present in community life as well as the educational environment in Laos.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam emphasized that the three individuals honored in the past three years are all exemplary models with many specific, persistent and inspiring contributions.

In 2023, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, Standing Member, Chief of Office of the Vietnamese Association in Vientiane, a dedicated businesswoman and association official, organized many free Vietnamese language classes for the young generation of Vietnamese and Lao people, contributing to maintaining cultural identity and creating a bridge of exchange with local people.

In 2024, Ms. Lanny Phetnion, a Lao lecturer at the Faculty of Vietnamese Language, National University of Laos, was not only good at Vietnamese but also directly taught and inspired Lao students, opened a Vietnamese language center and compiled teaching materials, demonstrating that Vietnamese has become an indispensable part of Lao academic and cultural life.

In 2025, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Principal of Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese Bilingual School, played a central role in building a high-quality bilingual education model, helping the young generation to be fluent in two languages ​​and imbued with cultural and historical values, as well as the good traditional relationship between the two peoples.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam said that this is the result of effective cooperation, persistent investment from the State, diplomatic agencies, Vietnamese associations in Laos, and the support of the Lao government and people. This is also a great source of encouragement for the Vietnamese community in Laos to continue to persevere and be creative in preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language.

Students excitedly learn about Vietnamese books at the Vietnamese Language Honoring Ceremony in Laos in 2025. (Photo: Xuan Tu/VNA)

Moreover, this is a vivid manifestation of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The fact that a Lao lecturer like Ms. Lanny is honored, or that the Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese Bilingual School has become a bright spot in education, shows that Vietnamese is not only the mother tongue of the Vietnamese community in Laos, but also an effective bridge in cultural cooperation, education and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam expressed his belief that, with the foundation of close ties between the two peoples and active support from relevant agencies and organizations, the Vietnamese language in Laos will continue to develop strongly, thereby contributing to nurturing the young generations of the two countries with knowledge and deep understanding of each other's history, culture, and language, and more importantly, with awareness and responsibility in preserving and promoting the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.

In the context of many regional and international fluctuations, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam emphasized the increasingly important strategic role of Vietnamese as a bridge in foreign relations, people-to-people exchange, educational and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

In order for the “Vietnamese Ambassadors” to maximize their ability to spread and connect, it is necessary to focus on building and maintaining a favorable ecosystem for the sustainable development of Vietnamese in Laos, such as consolidating and expanding Vietnamese language classes in the community and introducing Vietnamese into formal training programs at many levels, especially in areas with a large Vietnamese population.

In addition, investment in facilities, modern teaching materials, learning support technology and incentive policies is needed to maintain a high-quality Vietnamese language teaching staff in place.

The Ambassador also noted the importance of enhancing training and professional capacity building for the team of “Vietnamese Ambassadors”, especially in the context of digital transformation and educational integration. Teaching and learning Vietnamese needs to be flexible, creative, applying digital technology and multimedia to connect with the young generation of Lao people as well as the new generation of Vietnamese community in the neighboring country.

In addition, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam also emphasized that linking language with culture through diverse exchange and experience activities such as summer camps, research cooperation, study abroad, and tourism will help learners not only know Vietnamese but also understand more deeply and become more attached to Vietnamese culture, history, and people.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam also said that honoring, encouraging and creating conditions for outstanding individuals with outstanding contributions is very necessary so that the "Vietnamese Ambassadors" can confidently dedicate themselves for a long time, while at the same time inspiring many others to participate in preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language.

According to Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam, the Vietnamese language is not only a cultural heritage but also a tool for integration, enhancing understanding and connection between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples. With the right orientation and proper investment, the “Vietnamese Ambassadors” will continue to be a powerful “soft bridge”, making practical contributions to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the new era.

Regarding the role of Vietnamese in enhancing understanding, trust and people-to-people exchange between the two countries, especially among the younger generation of overseas Vietnamese and Lao children, the Ambassador said that Vietnamese is not only a means of communication but also a valuable “soft bridge”, contributing sustainably to the connection between the people of the two countries.

For the Vietnamese community in Laos, the Vietnamese language is a key factor in maintaining national cultural identity, family traditions and a sacred connection to the homeland.

When the younger generation of overseas Vietnamese children learn and use Vietnamese, they not only preserve their roots but also have the means to better integrate into a multicultural environment, and at the same time become a bridge for the new generation connecting and spreading culture and friendship between the two countries.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam also acknowledged and appreciated the growing trend of Laotian youth choosing to learn Vietnamese, showing their love for the culture, people and country of Vietnam. This is a positive signal that the Vietnamese language is spreading naturally and is being accepted as part of cooperation and exchange between the two nations.

In the context of increasingly deepening Vietnam-Laos cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, especially among the younger generation, have become an important foundation to strengthen strategic trust and long-term ties between the two countries. The Vietnamese language, as an effective cultural and educational communication channel, is the key to deepening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam concluded that investing in the Vietnamese language in Laos is investing in the future of Vietnam-Laos relations, built on understanding, sincere affection and sustainable connection between the people of the two countries, especially the young generation./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhung-nhip-cau-lan-toa-ngon-ngu-va-vun-dap-quan-he-hai-dan-toc-lao-viet-post1062229.vnp