The program was chaired by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Department of External Television of Vietnam Television, to mark Vietnamese Language Honor Day in the Vietnamese community abroad, observed annually on September 8.

Speaking at the program, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that the Vietnamese language is closely connected with every Vietnamese person throughout their life, from lullabies sung by grandmothers and mothers to memories of communal houses, village wharves and rural fields. It is also a repository of the nation’s history, culture and soul, as well as a strong bond connecting each person with their roots, whether they live in Vietnam or anywhere else in the world.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at the program. (Photo: VNA)

According to the Deputy Minister, the theme “The Kite Soaring High from the Mother Tongue” is deeply imbued with Vietnamese imagery. A kite can soar high and fly far thanks to aspirations and integration, but it can only remain steady when it stays connected to the string that ties it to its roots. For the Vietnamese community abroad, that string is the Vietnamese language - the language of family affection, identity and national pride.

On August 2, 2026, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW on work concerning overseas Vietnamese, affirming that overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese national community; one of the country’s important strategic resources, contributing to strengthening national comprehensive power; a bridge connecting Vietnam with the world; and partners and direct participants in the cause of building, developing and safeguarding the Vietnamese Fatherland.

The resolution also identifies the Vietnamese language not only as a means of communication but also as a source of soft power for the country. Maintaining classes, preserving Vietnamese-language books and persistently teaching the mother tongue to younger generations abroad all contribute to nurturing Vietnamese identity within the international community.

Since 2023, the Tieng Viet than thuong Gala has been held annually, spreading love for the Vietnamese language among the Vietnamese community abroad and to international friends.

This year, the program honored eight Vietnamese Language Ambassadors Abroad. They are exemplary individuals who have persistently contributed to preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language through their love, creativity and dedication. Alongside overseas Vietnamese, the list of honorees also includes foreigners who love Vietnam and have undertaken practical activities to teach and promote the Vietnamese language.

Through artistic performances, feature reports and studio exchanges, the Gala presented stories about classes, teachers, families and young people working to preserve the Vietnamese language in many countries.

The highlight of the program was the presentation of the 2026 “Vietnamese Language Ambassador Abroad” titles to Shimizu Masaaki (Japan), Tijn Konings Le (11, the Netherlands), Nguyen Thi Lien Huong (Taiwan, China), Nguyen Thi Thu Hien (Denmark), Tran Ngoc Thao (France), Nguyen Phuong Chung (the United States), Tran Huyen Huong (Australia) and Venerable Thich Phap Quang (Sri Lanka).

The number of ambassadors honored this year increased from six to eight, recognizing more exemplary individuals and broadening the reach of inspiring stories.

Vietnamese teachers living abroad pose for a photo with the 2026 Vietnamese Language Ambassadors Abroad. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking to the press, Shimizu Masaaki, a Vietnamese language lecturer at Osaka University (Japan), said he was deeply honored and moved to receive the title of “Vietnamese Language Ambassador Abroad.” Having begun studying Vietnamese in 1985, he said he hoped to contribute to strengthening understanding between the Japanese community and the Vietnamese community in Japan, while also promoting cooperation between Japanese Vietnamese-language lecturers and Vietnamese teachers.

According to Shimizu Masaaki, the number of Vietnamese people living in Japan is increasing, while the number of Japanese people studying Vietnamese remains limited. Therefore, he said he would continue working to increase the number of Vietnamese-language learners in Japan many times over the current level, convey the beauty and richness of the language, and inspire young people to develop an interest in Vietnamese and Vietnamese culture.

Youth Urged to Take Lead in Learning, Innovation and Fostering Viet Nam-China Friendship On the evening of August 24, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, the opening ceremony of the “Red journey for research and study” program for Vietnamese youth was held. At the event, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung emphasized that young people should take the lead in learning and creative work, become ambassadors of peace, and actively contribute to fostering the friendship between Viet Nam and China.

9 Vietnamese Officers Depart for UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan On August 26, the Ministry of Public Security handed over the President’s Decisions to nine People’s Public Security officers from Working Group No. 9, who departed to undertake duties at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The deployment brings the total number of Vietnamese Public Security officers serving at the mission to 17, the highest number ever.