On December 19, 2025, at Vu Dinh Lien Hall, the University of Languages and International Studies – Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ULIS–VNU), in collaboration with the International Korean Language Education Foundation, organized the seminar entitled “The Current Situation and Prospects of Korean Language Education in Formal Primary and Secondary Education Institutions in Vietnam.” The event attracted significant interest and participation from administrators, researchers, educators, and students.

Representing ULIS–VNU at the seminar were Vice President Hoa Ngoc Son, leaders of various units, the Board of Deans, faculty members, and students of the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture.

Vietnamese guests included Nguyen Tien Dung, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Training, and Nguyen Thi Mai Huu, Head of the National Foreign Languages Project Management Board, Ministry of Education and Training.

International guests included Lim Yeong Dam, President of the International Korean Language Education Foundation; Kim Joo Young, Head of the Division for Overseas Education Support, Ministry of Education of Korea; Prof. Chang So Won from Seoul National University; and Prof. Lim Woong from Yonsei University.

The seminar also welcomed a large number of administrators, researchers, and educators who are deeply interested in Korean language education.

The program opened with vibrant cultural performances by students from the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture and members of the AC4U Club, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere.

In his opening remarks, Vice President Hoa Ngoc Son emphasized the significance of the seminar in shaping orientations and promoting the development of Korean language education at the primary and secondary levels nationwide. He reaffirmed ULIS’s strong commitment to contributing to the advancement of Korean language education at the school level in particular and in Vietnam in general in the future.

Continuing the program, Nguyen Tien Dung, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Training, shared insights into the development context of Korean language education in Vietnam. He also affirmed that the Ministry of Education and Training is always willing to support and create favorable conditions for the implementation and development of Korean language teaching programs in Vietnam.

In their welcoming remarks, Lim Yeong Dam, President of the International Korean Language Education Foundation, and Kim Joo Young, Head of the Division for Overseas Education Support, Ministry of Education of Korea, expressed their sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, ULIS–VNU, and teachers nationwide for their contributions to promoting and developing Korean language education in Vietnam. They expressed confidence that the seminar would propose and open up further directions for the development of Korean language education in formal primary and secondary education institutions in Vietnam.

In the keynote presentation, Prof. Chang So Won from Seoul National University, Director of the Center for Overseas Korean Language Education Support, delivered a paper entitled “Korean Language Education at the School Level Overseas – Development Directions Suitable for Vietnam.” She introduced a series of Korean language textbooks ranging from Pre-A1 to advanced C2 levels, as well as textbooks designed specifically for primary education with vivid and intuitive illustrations. This initiative marks an important step forward in enabling primary schools to access and integrate Korean language education into their curricula.

Within the framework of the program, an exhibition of Korean language teaching and learning materials also attracted considerable attention from participants.

Continuing the seminar, Prof. Lim Woong from Yonsei University delivered a presentation entitled “Korean Language Teaching Methods and the Application of AI.” His presentation offered new perspectives on learning Korean with the support of AI-based tools, such as text-to-speech generation, creating audio-visual videos and songs from Korean vocabulary, as well as practicing and learning Korean through pre-programmed exercises on AI applications. The innovative and engaging content captured the interest and enthusiasm of students, contributing to a more effective and accessible Korean language learning experience.

In the final presentation session, Tran Thi Huong, Dean of the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture, presented a report entitled “Research on Solutions to Enhance Linkages between School-Level and University-Level Korean Language Education in Vietnam – Focusing on Korean Language Teaching at ULIS–VNU.” The presentation highlighted the growing popularity of Korean language learning among Vietnamese students since Korean was officially introduced into the national curriculum, affirming its strong position and future potential in the Vietnamese educational landscape. At the same time, the Dean outlined key objectives aimed at improving the quality of Korean language education at ULIS–VNU in the coming years.

Following the presentations, a discussion session was held. Numerous exchanges on the current situation of Korean language teaching at the school level in Vietnam, along with proposals and orientation recommendations from delegates, contributed to a dynamic, academic, and productive atmosphere.

The seminar “The Current Situation and Prospects of Korean Language Education in Formal Primary and Secondary Education Institutions in Vietnam” concluded after a period of active and fruitful discussion.

Thúy/ĐSTT