Lanny Phetnion: First non-Vietnamese to earn Ambassador of Vietnamese Language Abroad title

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Surpass 100 candidates worldwide to become ambassador of Vietnamese language

"Miss Lan" is the name given to Lanny Phetnion by students who learn Vietnamese at the National University of Laos. Lanny was born and raised in a poor countryside in a small valley of Houaphan province, Northern Laos. At the Faculty, her vibrant weekly Vietnamese lessons are always an attraction for students. Through her lectures, the Vietnamese language touch the hearts of the young students.

Lanny's journey to "conquer" Vietnamese is full of surprises. She never thought she would choose Vietnamese as a career path. Fate came knocking when Lanny Phetnion won the second prize in the district-level excellent student competition in grade 12. She was awarded a scholarship to study at the Vietnamese Language Faculty at the National University of Laos. by the local government and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports.

Though starting from zero, unfamiliar with the tones, pronunciation and grammar, with effort and hard work, in her third year at university, Lanny Phetnion participated in the Vietnamese speaking contest organized by the Vietnamese Language Department, where she won the first prize. In her fourth year, after joining a short-term training program at Hanoi University, Vietnam, her Vietnamese improved significantly. She participated in many extracurricular activities such as dancing, singing, cooking, sports to improve her Vietnamese communication skills. Lanny Phetnion won second prize in the Vietnamese singing contest in the "Multinational Cultural Exchange Day" at the school.

Lanny Phetnion is the first foreigner to achieve the title of Ambassador of Vietnamese Language Abroad. (Photo: Phuong Thuan)

After 5 years, with her love for Vietnamese culture, Lanny Phetnion can now speak Vietnamese as fluently as her mother tongue and confidently talks the country and people of Vietnam to her family and friends in the language. After graduation, Lanny Phetnion has better understanding of the Vietnamese language, the country, culture and the people of Vietnam. Not only does she fully realize that she has chosen the right major, she also thinks of herself as a lucky person because of the abundant job opportunities thanks to the long cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Since 2012, Lanny Phetnion has talked with teachers at the Vietnamese Language Faculty and the National University of Laos to let her teach basic Vietnamese to first-year students. In 2014, Lanny Phetnion officially became a lecturer of the National University of Laos.

In addition to her role as a lecturer, Lanny is a Vietnamese-language news presenter on Lao National Television and a bilingual Lao-Vietnamese MC for major events. She also runs a Lao-Vietnamese language center with a large number of students.

Lanny Phetnion also collaborated with some Vietnamese and Lao friends to open the Oka language center, where foreign students from China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and even Europe, also attend Vietnamese classes. Based on the needs of her students, she has compiled two books on quick teaching of Vietnamese and Lao. She is working on vocabulary, and communication handbooks for self-taught learners.

Not only dedicated to in-person teaching, Lanny also expands her influence through digital platforms. She has created TikTok and YouTube channels to share Vietnamese and Lao learning methods, attracting the attention of many learners.

"Everything I do comes from the desire to contribute a small part to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam," said Lanny.

It was due to her activities to spread the Vietnamese language in Laos that Lanny Phetnion surpassed 100 candidates and was awarded the title "Ambassador of the Vietnamese Language 2024" by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs honored Lanny Phetnion (second from left) as "Ambassador of Vietnamese Language 2024".

Continue to spread the love of Vietnamese to the Lao people

Talking about her future plans, Lanny Phetnion said she will continue to spread the Vietnamese language, culture, cuisine, and tourist destinations to Lao people and to anyone who is interested in and loves Vietnamese so that they can understand the country and people of Vietnam. Specifically, she plans to organize cultural and language exchanges and introduce the history, culture, and cuisine of Hanoi and Vietnam.

"I want to help Lao youth better understand the traditional values ​​of Vietnam, as well as the importance of Hanoi in the overall picture of the country, the region, and the world," Lanny Phetnion shared.

The ambassador of the Vietnamese language also hopes that her students will soon become language ambassadors, contributing to spreading the Vietnamese language, and helping many people know about the country, people and culture of Vietnam through their own close relationships.

Vietnamese language, history, and culture still regularly resound in every lesson by teacher Lanny at the Vietnamese Language Faculty, National University of Laos or at the Lao - Vietnamese Language Center. This forms a true bridge that helps preserve and spread the beauty of thousands of years of Vietnamese culture to Laos - the beautiful country of millions of elephants, and to those who love the Vietnamese language. This journey will light a flame that inspires students in Vietnamese classes. They will be ambassadors of friendship, helping to foster the pure and loyal friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

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