Indonesian Language Learning Surges in Vietnam, Fostering Bilateral Ties

JAKARTA - The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Vietnam Adam M. Tugio said that the public's interest in speaking Indonesian has further strengthened relations between people in both countries. "When we first launched this program in 2018, we dreamed of building a bridge between the two countries. Now, that dream has taken root. This is not just a regular class, but a living bridge between Indonesia and Vietnam," said Adam, as stated in the press statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi, Wednesday. He made the statement when opening the Indonesian Language Program for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) at Hanoi University (HANU) on September 7, 2026. Ambassador Adam said that the Vietnamese people's interest in learning Indonesian continued to increase with more and more students and the general public participating in the BIPA Program in Vietnam. In 2026, the BIPA program will be held in three locations in Hanoi, namely Hanoi University (HANU), University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University Hanoi, and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Hanoi. The activity was taught by Dewi Puspa Arum, a BIPA teacher from Indonesia who was assigned by the Indonesian Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to teach Indonesian at Hanoi from September to November 2026. From the three locations, about 700 people have registered for the program. About 300 participants are currently participating in the learning activities. HANU recorded around 450 applicants, while more than 200 people applied to attend classes held at the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi. This figure shows the height and the increasing interest of the Vietnamese people to learn Indonesian. In addition to improving language skills, the BIPA program also provides participants with the opportunity to get to know the culture, traditions, and daily life of the Indonesian people. Participants not only learn the language, but also gain a broader understanding of Indonesia and its people. The increasing interest in learning Indonesian, according to Adam, occurred when Indonesia-Vietnam relations continued to develop in various fields, ranging from trade, investment, tourism, education to culture. Bilateral relations between the two countries have also become closer after being upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2025. This cooperation will be implemented through the 2026-2030 Action Plan agreed in July 2026. With the increasing interaction between the two countries, the ability to speak Indonesian is considered to be an added value for the Vietnamese people in developing opportunities in the fields of business, tourism, diplomacy, education, translation, media, and international cooperation. "Language is more than just words. Language is a gateway to other cultures as well as a real tool to open up opportunities. Whether it's business, trade, tourism, creative industries or continuing education. The ability to communicate comfortably will bring change," said Adam. For the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi, the BIPA program is part of a broader effort to strengthen educational cooperation, cultural exchange, inter-campus relations, and relations between the Indonesian and Vietnamese peoples. The increasing popularity of the program shows that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is not only strengthened through inter-governmental cooperation, but also through the curiosity, friendship, and relationships built by the younger generations of both countries. Source: VOI English