Nguyen Xuan Dien teaches Chinese students. (Photo: VOV)

“Having taught at Sichuan International Studies University for 14 years, I realize that Chinese students’ view about Vietnam have changed considerably. In my first days at the university, Chinese students had hardly heard about Vietnam. Now, many of them have chosen the Department of Vietnamese language. I’m aware of my responsibility to further spread the image of Vietnam,” said Dien.

The Department of Vietnamese language and literature now has more than 100 students and postgraduates. There is an increasing demand for human resources with the ability to use Vietnamese as diplomatic relations, and economic cooperation and exchanges between the two countries have developed strongly in recent years. Graduates with the Vietnamese major will easily find a good job with a competitive salary. 

“In China, there is a trend to do research on Southeast Asian countries and member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative. Many researchers and students in China are showing an interest in Vietnam,” said Dien.

Tang Xiao He is studying a Master’s degree program in Vietnamese literature at Sichuan International Studies University. She has been supported a lot by teacher Dien.

“Teacher Dien is very helpful to his students. Through his lessons, I have an overview of outstanding Vietnamese literary works and authors,” said Tang.

Tang Xiao He studies a Master’s degree program in Vietnamese literature at Sichuan International Studies University. (Photo: VOV)

The university has also designed a number of activities for students to engage in Vietnamese culture and learn Vietnamese language, such as poetry recitals, public speaking, music and art performances, plays, screening of Vietnamese movies, calligraphy writing, performances with traditional Vietnamese costumes, and cooking Vietnamese dishes.

“At first, many students don’t know how to cook Vietnamese food because in Sichuan, the cooking is normally done by men. Through these activities, more and more people have become engaged and interested in cooking Vietnamese food. They enjoy making Vietnamese spring rolls,” said Dien. 

Professor Luo Wen Qing, head of the Oriental Language Institute, said, “Xuan Dien is a dedicated teacher. He has equipped many students with knowledge about Vietnamese language and culture. He also shows them how to make Vietnamese dishes and brings them great experiences of Vietnamese traditional costumes.”

Dien said he felt happy to see great changes in his students. “More and more students get interested in Vietnam and in learning Vietnamese. I feel very proud to be a Vietnamese teacher in China and be more aware of my responsibility to inspire them to learn more about Vietnam.”

Dien plans to open a Vietnamese restaurant right at Sichuan International Studies University to further promote Vietnamese cuisine and culture to young Chinese.