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Preserving Vietnamese in the Heart of Paris

Currently living and working in Paris, Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha is an ethnologist engaged in international cultural activities, particularly the organization of traditional festivals of various countries. Even so, most of her time and dedication is devoted to preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural values, especially the Vietnamese language, within the Vietnamese community and among international friends.

“Language is not only a tool of communication but also a cultural identity, a marker that distinguishes a people. Preserving Vietnamese means preserving our roots, safeguarding an invaluable part of our spiritual heritage. In a foreign land, every effort to maintain Vietnamese carries the meaning of affirming our identity,” she shared.

Deeply committed to the Vietnamese language for many years, between 2015 and 2017, she taught at the Union of Vietnamese in France (UGVF), accompanying the “Ve nguon” (Back to the Roots) class for children of Vietnamese origin and French children every Saturday morning. After 2017, she continued expanding individual instruction for French learners interested in Vietnamese and Vietnamese culture.

Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha’s Vietnamese class in France.

In 2023, as community activities resumed after the pandemic, she returned with renewed vigor to volunteer work and cultural exchange, especially with the Canh Dieu (Kite) association. The year 2024 marked a turning point as she founded Parfums du Vietnam with the aim of promoting the Vietnamese language and fostering deep and sustainable Vietnam-France cultural exchange.

As the association’s President, Dr. Hong Ha maintains free or volunteer-based Vietnamese classes, particularly for second-generation Vietnamese children and French learners who love the language; she also personally teaches French students seeking an in-depth understanding of the Vietnamese language and culture. She supports the development of Vietnamese teaching materials tailored to the needs of the Vietnamese diaspora and local learners.

Traditional cultural promotion activities are also emphasized through major artistic events. In 2024, Dr. Hong Ha organized two performances of “Then Singing of the Tay, Nung, and Thai Peoples” in Paris and Nice, attracting large audiences. These events marked the beginning of an annual project introducing traditional Vietnamese arts and culture - an important strategic direction for the association moving forward.

Alongside her role as President of Parfums du Vietnam, Dr. Hong Ha also participates in various associations in France, co-organizing seminars and discussions on the preservation, maintenance, and transmission of the Vietnamese language to successive generations of overseas Vietnamese; she also takes part in initiatives promoting Vietnamese language learning abroad.

“Vietnamese holds immense significance in preserving national cultural identity. As long as the Vietnamese language endures, our culture endures. Through language, we understand the spiritual and cultural values handed down by our ancestors,” she emphasized.

Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha receives the title “Overseas Vietnamese Language Ambassador 2025.”

Three Pillars of Spreading the Vietnamese Language

For Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha, the title “Vietnamese Language Ambassador” is a recognition of her tireless journey with the Vietnamese community in France to preserve and promote the mother tongue. Following the honor, she continues to expand her efforts in sharing and connecting, with the aim of bringing Vietnamese and the cultural values of the nation to a broader circle of international friends.

In the field of teaching, training, and professional advising, she participates in the Global Network for Teaching Vietnamese Language and Culture as Deputy Secretary-General, directly contributing to activities related to Vietnamese language instruction and cultural development. She serves as a program advisor, teacher trainer, and supporter in developing curricula for the Vietnamese community in Europe. She collaborates with Vietnam-France associations to organize Vietnamese classes for children and young people, designing “family storytelling - memory” activities to help the younger generation connect more deeply with their mother tongue. In addition, she works closely with schools, cultural centers, and many families to build age-appropriate learning methods, thereby fostering an effective and humanistic learning environment.

Dr. Hong Ha maintains free or volunteer-based Vietnamese classes, especially for second-generation Vietnamese children and French learners who love the language.

In the field of culture, community engagement, and heritage connection through Vietnamese, Dr. Hong Ha co-founded and coordinates several cultural projects under Parfums du Vietnam, notably the bilingual exhibition and book “Vietnam - A Journey of Memory” (Vietnam - Un voyage mémoriel). All projects use Vietnamese as the primary language for storytelling and interpretation, aiming to present heritage in an authentic and vivid manner.

“I organize and participate in many cultural exchange events in France, from seminars and Then folk singing performances to film screenings, dialogues, and programs for the Vietnamese community. These are spaces where the community can use Vietnamese in everyday cultural life. In addition, I write for newspapers, academic journals, and media platforms to introduce Vietnamese culture in both Vietnamese and French,” she shared.

In the field of creative publication and communication, Dr. Hong Ha is co-author of bilingual works designed to bring the Vietnamese language closer to international readers. She produces numerous talks and video shares about the Vietnamese language, Vietnamese culture, and the journey of preserving identity among overseas Vietnamese communities. She also connects artists, scholars, and educators within the UNESCO network, contributing to the presence of Vietnamese and Vietnamese cultural values in global dialogue platforms.

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