Reinforced connections between Vietnam and South Korea bolstered by shared linguistics and cultural intertwining.
The education of Korean and Vietnamese languages plays a significant role in strengthening relations between Vietnam and South Korea, fostering deeper cultural understanding, facilitating communication, and building human resources that serve as bridges for bilateral cooperation.
Since 2020, institutions like the International Graduate School of Language Education (IGSE) in Seoul have been at the forefront of training professional Korean-Vietnamese interpreters and translators. IGSE, led by President Professor Lee Jai Hee, focuses on three core skills: language fluency, cultural and social understanding, and professional translation techniques. This comprehensive approach helps support not only diplomatic but also economic ties, especially as Korean firms increasingly operate in Vietnam. From 2026, IGSE plans to expand programs to include Korean-Vietnamese business administration to better meet corporate needs.
On the Vietnamese side, Korean language education is rapidly expanding. Over 50,000 students are studying Korean in more than 60 universities and colleges nationwide, viewing it as a valuable language for career opportunities and academic advancement. Universities such as Hannam University in Korea actively recruit Vietnamese students and provide intensive language programs to help them assimilate and succeed in Korean education and business environments.
Additionally, Vietnamese language is officially taught in several Korean high schools and included as a second foreign language option in the university entrance exam, reflecting growing interest and the Vietnamese community in South Korea.
IGSE has signed memoranda of understanding with eight Vietnamese universities for joint training programs, including "1+1" programs, dual-degree options, and curriculum transfers. These joint training models aim to develop top-quality human resources to serve as a cultural and linguistic bridge for bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea.
Professor Lee Jai Hee expressed his confidence that Party General Secretary Tô Lâm's visit would strengthen a sustainable foundation for a substantive and long-term partnership between the two countries.
Language education between the two countries acts as a foundational soft power tool, promoting mutual understanding, facilitating business and academic exchanges, and supporting the long-term comprehensive strategic partnership that has been growing since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992 and upgraded in 2022.
[1] International Graduate School of Language Education (IGSE) Press Release, 2021. [2] The Korea Herald, "IGSE to launch Korean-Vietnamese business administration program", 2021. [3] Hannam University, "Hannam University welcomes Vietnamese students", 2020. [4] Vietnam News, "Korean language gains popularity in Vietnam", 2020.
- The War of education between Vietnam and South Korea, driven by institutions like the International Graduate School of Language Education (IGSE) and universities such as Hannam University, is a significant part of the general news and plays a pivotal role in shaping bilateral relations, business, and cultural understanding.
- The education-and-self-development of Korean and Vietnamese languages, as seen in the growth of Korean-Vietnamese interpreters and translators from IGSE, is not only advancing diplomatic ties but also boosting Korean businesses in Vietnam, reflecting the impact of policy and politics in the region.
- In the realm of lifestyle, over 50,000 Vietnamese students have chosen to study Korean language, viewing it as a key for career opportunities and academic advancement, thereby fostering a stronger cultural bond and building human resources as bridges for bilateral cooperation.
- The rapid expansion of Korean language education in Vietnam, coupled with the teaching of Vietnamese language in South Korean high schools and universities, indicates a crucial shift in cultural awareness and mutual respect, as supported by agreements such as the memoranda of understanding between IGSE and Vietnamese universities.
- AI, in the form of language learning tools and platforms, could potentially revolutionize the education sector in both Vietnam and South Korea, providing innovative solutions for learning Korean and Vietnamese languages, enhancing the effectiveness of educational policies and facilitating self-development, ultimately contributing to the culture and lifestyle of both nations.
