Van Lang University students and the story “Vietnamese people speak Vietnamese”

On August 10, 2023, Van Lang University hosted a meeting between journalist-author Nguyen Quang Tho and VLU students to introduce the book “Vietnamese speaking Vietnamese”.

The Institute of Culture - Art and Media organized the ''Vietnamese speaking Vietnamese'' Talkshow with the participation of author, journalist Nguyen Quang Tho, Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Dang Ngoc Le - Chairman of the HCMC Linguistics Association, Vice President of the Vietnam Language Association of Linguistics; poet and journalist Le Minh Quoc - Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Writers' Association, Mr. Tran Dinh Viet - Former Director of Ho Chi Minh City Publishing House, Mr. Le Ngoc Son - Member of the University Council, journalist Duong Trong Dat - Director of VLU Institute of Culture - Art and Media, Dr. Ho Quoc Hung - Deputy Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

"Vietnamese people speak Vietnamese," is author Nguyen Quang Tho's passion after many fateful events in life. The book demonstrates the author's passion and excitement for Vietnamese in particular, as well as Vietnamese culture and people in general. Through personal stories and lessons, the journalist aims to ignite the passion and appreciation for traditional and Vietnamese values.

Author Nguyen Quang Tho shared: "Personally, I’ve spent much time working as an editor. During my career, I’ve noticed that even experienced writers make mistakes in word usage, which can persist if not corrected promptly." ''Vietnamese speaking Vietnamese,'' according to author and journalist Nguyen Quang Tho, is a book on linguistics using writer’s daily notes and diary entries about events and issues related to language. "Vietnamese people speak Vietnamese" includes over 600 idioms and proverbs commonly used in daily life but not found in dictionaries. The book consists of three main chapters: Mat thay tai nghe (Things heard & seen), Noi gan noi xa chang qua noi that (Call a spade a spade), Danh trong qua cua nha sam (Never offer to teach fish to swim).

Journalist - author Nguyen Quang Tho and guests empathized with Van Lang University students' challenges but believed in their ability to preserve Vietnam's good values and its language's beauty. 

Dr. Ho Quoc Hung - Deputy Dean of the VLU’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities expressed: ''I am extremely interested in the phrase  “Vietnamese weren’t assimilated during 1,000 years of Chinese occupation ''. Many nations lose their cultural values in just a few centuries, but not the Vietnamese. Young people have great strength. We have entrusted responsibility for preserving Vietnamese traditional values to you now."

Journalist and author Nguyen Quang Tho concluded the event with a heartfelt message to VLU students: ''The idioms I cherish the most are always my mother's reprimands. Follow the parents' words, there is always love. So, if you love your parents, strive to preserve our Vietnamese language.” Each meeting has its own meaning and leaves something memorable. We thank Nguyen Quang Tho for enriching students’ knowledge and experience through his meaningful sharing.

Reporter: Nguyen Phuong Thao
Photo: Minh Truc