As an annual event maintained over the years, the 10th Korean Language Contest in Hai Phong has captured the social and cultural trends of the time. The competition offers a fresh approach to inspire learning, fostering a deeper exploration of Korean culture among students and residents of Hai Phong.
For the first time, the contest introduced a new format: video production. Contestant Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, from Kien Thuy, shared her journey of discovering the essence of Korean culture. Driven by her dream of experiencing life in Korea, she worked tirelessly after graduating high school to save money. Her luck turned when she landed a job at a Korean-owned company, allowing her to hone her skills. Working as a tour guide further enhanced her Korean language proficiency and cultural understanding. Through her journey, Kim Chi learned that Korean culture—beyond its cuisine, films, and music—shares similarities with Vietnamese culture, fostering better connections within her workplace.
Meanwhile, the group Thap Tu Long from Tran Phu Middle School (Le Chan District) impressed the audience with a vibrant K-pop dance performance. Seventh grader Mrs. Nguyen Khanh My admitted that without the talent showcase category, her group would not have joined due to their limited Korean proficiency. Yet, the preparation process—choosing music, learning lyrics, and rehearsing—helped them improve their language skills and gain insight into Korean pop culture. While their Q&A performance with the judges was challenging, the group resolved to practice harder to confidently “come back” next year.
According to Mr. Jang Bog Hyun, Chairman of the Korean Association in Hai Phong, this year’s contest provided contestants with a new perspective. Beyond academic pursuits, the competition created a vibrant platform for participants to showcase their talents and connect with Korean culture.
Themed “Hai Phong Through My Eyes”, the 10th Korean Language Contest was more engaging than ever. While previous contests focused on academic presentations, this year’s edition diversified with speech, video production, and talent performances. This inclusive approach attracted contestants of various ages and skill levels, creating broader community interest and support.
Mrs. Nguyen Bich Dung, Director of Hai Phong’s Department of Foreign Affairs, noted that South Korea is Hai Phong’s top foreign investor, with 183 projects worth $11.5 billion. Beyond economic contributions, Korean investors have played a vital role in cultural and educational exchanges, as exemplified by a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Hai Phong and the Korean Embassy in 2021. Presently, 19 schools in Hai Phong receive support from the Korean Embassy.
Mrs. Dung emphasized that the contest creates dynamic opportunities for practical language application while promoting cooperation between Vietnam and Korea, particularly Hai Phong and its Korean counterparts. Overcoming initial challenges, the contest now engages participants from primary school to working professionals. Many contestants have gone on to achieve significant success, making the contest a key event to promote Korean language learning, career opportunities, and cultural understanding.
With its innovative format, the competition continues to expand the influence of Korean studies and strengthen cross-cultural ties.
The contest introduced new formats to foster Korean language learning and cultural exchange (Photo: Talent performance by the group Thap Tu Long).
Contestant presenting their performance.
Organizers awarding prizes to participants.
Another contestant’s presentation.