(VOVWORLD) - The Ministry of Education and Training is organizing the first-ever Debating Contest in Vietnamese for foreign students in Vietnam. After the success of the Debating Contest for Lao students in 2019, this year the contest is expanded for all international students in Vietnam. The event aims to enhance cultural exchange between countries, encourage international students to improve their Vietnamese, and promote Vietnamese education and culture to the world.
 The opening of the Debating Contest for Foreign Students in Vietnam (photo: Minh Huong/VOV) |
The first round in the northern region took place on October 28 in Hanoi with the participation of 36 teams. In Vietnamese, the foreign students told stories about Vietnam’s land, people, and culture, memorable moments in their lives, living and studying in Vietnam, and friendship between Vietnam and their homeland.
The Organizing Committee awarded two first prizes, four second prizes, seven third prizes, and eleven consolation prizes. The two first prizes went to Friendship School 80 and to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, part of Hanoi National University.
This year's contest was open to all foreign students studying at universities, academies, and Vietnamese training centers. Chatoua Chongtouvang, a Lao student at Hanoi University of Education No.2, said: “This is a chance for us to develop ourselves and improve our Vietnamese proficiency, so we would have more opportunities in the future. For example, when I return to my home country, I can work for Vietnamese investors.”
Vietnam has approximately 22,000 international students. Each year, 4,000 to 6,000 new foreign students are admitted to Vietnamese educational institutions. A majority of them study Vietnamese and Vietnamese studies.
 A performance at the first round of competition in the northern region (photo: VOV) |
Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Van Phuc, said: “The contest will become a driving force for the teaching and learning of Vietnamese and education innovation in general. Teaching and learning Vietnamese is not only about learning a language as a tool to acquire knowledge, but also promoting culture, national identity, and improving intercultural communication capacity for foreign students and foreigners who love Vietnamese language and culture.”
Launched in August, the Debating Contest in Vietnamese for foreign students in Vietnam has attracted teams from 65 educational institutions. The first round was held in the north on October 28, and will be held in the central region on November 3, and in the south on November 11. The best teams from the three regions will compete in a final round on December 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.