Chairman of the State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu speaks at the launch of the Day to honor the Vietnamese language in foreign countries on September 8, 2022 (photo: VOV)

The decision aims to enhance the overseas Vietnamese community’s awareness of the Vietnamese language’s beauty and value and honor individuals and organisations for expanding the coverage of the language, keeping it as a language for communication among Vietnamese families abroad, and spreading it to foreigners.

Chairman of the State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu said the initiative holds significant practical and humane values.

Mr. Hieu said: “September 8 becoming the day to honor Vietnamese reflects the Party and State’s care policies on overseas Vietnamese. It would raise overseas Vietnamese’ awareness in the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese national identity and build up a stable and strong community towards the homeland”.

Activities to celebrate the day will be held throughout the year and integrated into festivals and special occasions. Individuals, organizations, families and associations with positive contributions to maintaining and spreading the language among the Vietnamese community abroad will also be honored.

A teacher of Vietnamese from Chinese Taipei, Pham My Dung said: "“The Day to honor Vietnamese is a significant event for the Vietnamese community and those who promote the language overseas. Vietnamese has been one of the most popular official foreign languages taught and selected for study in Taiwanese schools.  It reflects efforts by the Vietnamese community. I'm proud of being a Vietnamese."