On June 1, 2024, with the permission of the Ministry of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, in collaboration with the K-Speech Korean Speech Association, the Peaceful Reunification Advisory Committee of Korea in Vietnam, and Life Plaza Magazine, successfully organized the 12th K-Speech Korean Speech Contest. The competition's goal was to choose individuals possessing the essential attributes and skills to take part in the 28th Global Korean Speech Contest scheduled for August 2024 in Laos. This event provided students from reputable Southern Vietnamese universities who major in Korean Studies and Korean Language with an opportunity for continuous learning, exchange, and professional development.
Distinguished guests from Korea attended the event, including: Mr. Ahn Ji Bok – Chairman of the K-Speech Korean Speech Association in Vietnam; Mr. Lee Kang Hyun – teacher at the Korean International School; Mr. Hwang Sung Won – Advisory Committee member of the K-Speech Association; Mr. Gil Ho Jin – Director of the Korean Language Institute in Ho Chi Minh City; and Mr. Heo Dae Seon – teacher at the Kanata Korean Language Center.
From Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, the attendees included: Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son – University President; Dr. Bui Tran Quynh Ngoc – Vice President; Mr. Huynh Xuan Nhut – Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department; and Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu Dong – Head of the Korean Language Department. Additionally, several other Heads and Deputy Heads of various departments and other units of the University were present.
This year the K-Speech Speech Contest was divided into three main categories: Independent Contestants; Middle/High School; and College/University.
The two formats were “Individual” and “Group.” The main topics of the contest included “Korean Wave Culture and Peace on the Korean Peninsula,” “Promoting Vietnam-Korean Friendship through Hangeul and Korean Wave Culture,” and the last being an open topic.
The contest have attracted more than 30 individual contestants and 24 group contestants coming from 17 universities/colleges, 5 high schools and Korean centers of the Southern region.
After many intense and exciting rounds, the final results were as follows: The Organizing Committee awarded one First Prize and one Second Prize in the Middle/High School Individual category, as well as one First Place, one Second Prize, and three Third Prizes in the College/University and Independent Contestant categories. In the Group category the Committee also awarded one Second Place and three Third Prizes for 5 best group contestants.
Notably, the Korean Language Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education won the First Prize in the individual category, achieved by student Luu Quynh Chi (Class of 46) with the topic "Promoting Vietnam-Korea Friendship through Hangeul and Korean Wave Culture." With this result, student Luu Quynh Chi will represent the University at the international competition to be held in Laos.
The 12th K-Speech Korean Speech Contest was a great success and left many positive impressions in the Korean Language community at universities in the South and throughout the country.
Pictures taken in the Competition:
