Over 27,000 Vietnamese students studying Korean language
This year’s event received over 50 research papers covering a broad range of topics, including Korean language education, translation and interpretation, and Korean culture.
An international conference on Hallyu (the Korean Wave) and the teaching of the Korean language and culture in the digital era was held on 14 June in Da Nang.
This year’s event received over 50 research papers covering a broad range of topics, including Korean language education, translation and interpretation, and Korean culture. The authors included professors, researchers, and lecturers from the Republic of Korea (RoK), Vietnam, Japan, and China.
Participants presented academic reports and discussions with a strong focus on in-depth analysis and practical solutions to enhance the teaching of Korean language and culture, as well as the training of translators and interpreters in the digital age.
Prof. Dr. Lee Mihye, President of the International Korean Language and Culture Association (INK), noted that revolutionary advances in digital technology, alongside the global spread of Hallyu, present both significant challenges and new opportunities for Korean language and culture education. She emphasised that Vietnam is part of this global trend and described the conference as a valuable platform for academic exchange, further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK.
Chief Representative of the Korea Foundation (KF) in Vietnam Woo Hyoung Min highlighted that in 2021, Korean was officially recognised as a primary foreign language in Vietnam, with Korean language classes being widely introduced across schools. The number of candidates sitting the 100th Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) surged from 16,000 to 63,000 over the past five years, a fourfold increase. By 2025, a total of 48 universities across Vietnam will have established Korean language or Korean studies departments, with more than 27,000 students currently enrolled. He expressed his hope that the conference will mark a new milestone for Korean language education in Vietnam and globally.
Shin Yoonkyeong, President of the Korean Association of Translators and Interpreters (KATI), observed that interest in Korean language and culture is expanding rapidly in Vietnam. She recognised Dong A University (DAU) in Vietnam as a pioneer in Korean language education and Hallyu studies in the central region. She underscored the conference's significance in showcasing the potential for localised Korean language and cultural education, while promoting sustainable academic cooperation and practical exchanges within ASEAN.
DAU Chairman Luong Minh Sam stressed that in the digital age, Hallyu is not merely a global cultural phenomenon but also an opportunity to innovate Korean language teaching methods. If properly harnessed, it can serve as an effective bridge connecting classrooms to the wider world, he noted.
On this occasion, DAU signed a cooperation agreement with INK to promote joint research, international education, academic exchange, and the co-organisation of international forums and conferences. Another agreement was signed between DAU and KATI to jointly develop Korean language teaching programmes, conduct collaborative research projects, exchange academic resources, and promote Korean translation and interpretation assessment initiatives in Vietnam./.