On March 13, 2026, at the Reception Hall of the French Embassy, H.E. Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of the French Republic to Vietnam, on behalf of the French Government, conferred the Order of Academic Palms upon Dr. Dam Minh Thuy – Dean of the Faculty of French Language and Culture, University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

The ceremony was attended by counselors and representatives from the French Embassy, alongside distinguished guests including Ms. Nguyen Thuy Anh (Chairwoman of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association) and Mr. Nguyen Lan Trung. Representing ULIS-VNU were Vice President Lam Quang Dong, the Faculty Board, lecturers, and partners of Dr. Dam Minh Thuy.

Established by Emperor Napoleon I in 1808, the Order of Academic Palms (Ordre des Palmes Académiques) is one of France's oldest honors, recognizing outstanding contributions to education, culture, and the global promotion of the French language. This award reflects the French Government's appreciation for Dr. Thuy’s enduring commitment to Francophone education is a source of great pride for the Vietnamese Francophone community.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet highly commended Dr. Thuy’s dedication to France-Vietnam relations, particularly in culture and education. He emphasized that this prestigious medal honors her long journey of passion and perseverance in teaching French, expressing confidence that she will continue to bolster the cooperation between the two nations in the future.

Dr. Dam Minh Thuy’s academic journey is marked by her graduation from ULIS-VNU in 1999, followed by a Master’s degree in 2004 and a Doctorate from Picardie Jules Verne University (France) in 2015. Since 2000, she has been a dedicated lecturer at ULIS and has collaborated with prestigious international organizations like the French Institute. Her expertise focuses on intercultural communication and innovative pedagogical methods such as project-based learning.

In her leadership roles as Head of Division, Vice Dean, and currently Dean of the Faculty since 2022, she has driven curriculum innovation and expanded international partnerships with organizations like OIF and AUF. Furthermore, she actively contributes to the community as General Secretary of the Hanoi Vietnam-France Friendship Association, inspiring generations of students and strengthening the cultural-educational bonds between Vietnam and the Francophone world.

In her emotional speech, Dr. Thuy described the award as a collective achievement and a moment of gratitude. Reflecting on nearly four decades with the French language—from a high school student to an educational manager - she noted how French opened horizons of international dialogue. She offered sincere thanks to the ULIS Board, mentors, colleagues, and family, reaffirming her commitment to further developing French education and strengthening the strategic partnership between Vietnam and France.

Huyền Châu - ĐSTT