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

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Fateful love with Vietnamese

"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 collaborated with Vietnamese and Lao friends to open the Oka language center to train students who need to further sharpen their language skills or want to learn Vietnamese and Lao for daily communication. 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.

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

Ambassador of Friendship

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.

Talking about her future plans, Lanny Phetnion said: "The more I work and interact with Vietnamese people, the more I love the Vietnamese language and want to have more opportunities to learn about the country, culture and people of Vietnam. I want to contribute my humble efforts to be a bridge to further connect the Lao and Vietnamese communities, helping to strengthen the great, exemplary, loyal and pure relationship between the two Parties, two States and peoples of the two countries, as Uncle Ho said: "If we love each other, we can climb any mountain/ wade any river, cross any pass/ Vietnam and Laos, our two countries, have a love deeper than the Red River and Mekong River."

Lanny Phetnion also hopes that her students will become language ambassadors, contributing to spreading the Vietnamese language, 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 lit a flame that inspires students in Vietnamese classes. They themselves will be ambassadors of friendship, helping to foster the pure and loyal friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

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