Vietnam Cultural Hub Launched in Thailand to Foster Language and Cultural Exchange

A Vietnam Studies Center has been established at Khon Kaen University in Thailand, aiming to deepen Thai understanding of Vietnam through Vietnamese language education and cultural introductions, while also supporting the mother-tongue inheritance of young Vietnamese diaspora in Thailand. This initiative is reported by Vietnam's Communist Party organ "Nhan Dan." The center was jointly established by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Khon Kaen University. The inauguration ceremony coincided with "Vietnamese Language Day for the Vietnamese Community Abroad," designated by the Vietnamese government on September 8. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities stated that the Vietnamese language is one of the most direct means for ethnic groups to understand each other. The center will not only teach Vietnamese to Thai students but also introduce Vietnam's history, culture, and society. This provides an opportunity for Thai people to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam and supports young Vietnamese diaspora in Thailand in maintaining their connection to their mother tongue and roots. This initiative aligns with the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on "Activities for Overseas Vietnamese" (dated August 2, 2026), which positions overseas Vietnamese as "an inseparable part of the Vietnamese ethnic community, a strategically important resource, and a bridge between Vietnam and the world." It emphasizes the preservation of the Vietnamese language and cultural heritage, and their role as "ambassadors of culture, country, and people of Vietnam." Located in a region with a significant Vietnamese diaspora, Khon Kaen University's center will serve as a new hub for Vietnamese language education and provide an important opportunity for young Vietnamese to maintain their mother tongue and deepen their understanding of their origins. It is expected to contribute to mutual understanding and the sustainable development of relations between the two countries through educational and cultural activities.