Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt delivers the opening remarks. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese people abroad are the ambassadors of Vietnamese culture and language, affirmed Deputy Foreign Minister Đỗ Hùng Việt while addressing an art programme, held at the Hà Nội Opera House on Sunday evening on the occasion of the Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language in Vietnamese Communities Abroad.

Việt said that activities to celebrate the Vietnamese Language Day have truly become community-driven efforts, initiated by the community, carried out by the community, and for the benefit of the community.

These efforts have helped nurture and spread the love for the Vietnamese language, not only within the Vietnamese community abroad but also among international friends, thus contributing to affirming the value of the Vietnamese culture in the international arena, he stressed.

The official expressed his hope that overseas Vietnamese will continue to focus on teaching and learning the mother tongue for their children, as well as preserving and promoting the noble traditional values of the nation to the community and international friends.

In addition, central and local agencies, political-social organisations, news agencies, associations, and domestic individuals and sponsors should continue to support and participate in the implementation of the day to have more initiatives, ideas, and activities to transmit the love and pride for the Vietnamese language and culture to future generations of Vietnamese abroad, Viet added.

On this occasion, five individuals, including an 8-year-old OV living in Japan and a Lao national, were recognised as Vietnamese language ambassadors.

This year’s competition searching for Vietnamese language ambassadors, the second of its kind, attracted 158 entries, including those of foreigners who love the Vietnamese language.

The Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language in Vietnamese Communities Abroad project, proposed by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, was approved by the Prime Minister in 2022.

Over the past two years, it has garnered significant attention from agencies, organisations, and businesses, especially from overseas Vietnamese. — VNS