Children study at a free Vietnamese class in Malaysia. - Photo: VNS
KUALA LUMPUR: (Bernama-VNA) The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia has made remarkable efforts in preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, Le Thi Thu Hang, during her working visit to Malaysia from Feb 8-10.
Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that at a meeting with the embassy, Hang praised the endeavours of teachers and students in Malaysia and commended the embassy’s dedication to supporting the Vietnamese community.
She highlighted its role in facilitating the Vietnamese Language Club by providing teaching materials and creating favourable conditions for students to maintain their Vietnamese identity.
Malaysia is home to over 30,000 Vietnamese nationals, including more than 10,000 Vietnamese brides. As the number of multicultural families grows, so does the demand for Vietnamese language education.
Now in its ninth year, the Vietnamese language programme at the embassy has expanded to nine classes with over 40 students, including three in-person at the weekend and six online. With two teachers in charge, the programme remains fully booked.
Visiting the classes, Hang expressed delight at the efforts of parents in preserving Vietnamese culture, fostering connections with their homeland, and strengthening ties between Vietnamese and local communities.
She announced the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs' plan to organise a summer camp for younger children and their families in Vietnam.
The Deputy FM also recognised the contributions of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Malaysia, creating job opportunities for fellow nationals. She supported the community’s aspiration to establish a Vietnamese pagoda and a cultural centre, calling it an initiative worthy of being realised in the near future.
Stating that every overseas Vietnamese serves as an ambassador for Vietnamese culture, connecting Vietnam with the international community, Hang urged them to uphold and promote Vietnamese traditions, helping bring Vietnam closer to the world.
She also acknowledged the role of Vietnamese associations in fostering cultural exchanges, calling them a crucial factor in strengthening Vietnam-Malaysia relations for mutual benefit.
As part of her visit, Hang extended Lunar New Year wishes to prominent Vietnamese families in Malaysia and toured Vietnamese-owned businesses. - Bernama-VNA
