On June 14, 2025, the vibrant city of Da Nang in Vietnam played host to the 39th International Conference themed “Hallyu and Teaching Korean Language, Korean Culture in the Digital Age.” This landmark event was co-organized by the International Association for Korean Language and Culture Studies (INK) alongside Dong A University, with the support of the International Association of Korean Language Translators and Interpreters and various academic bodies both domestic and international. The conference marked a significant milestone as the first time the event was held in Vietnam's Central region, and it was also the 43rd international scientific conference co-organized by Dong A University with global partners.
The annual conference stands as one of the largest academic forums worldwide for Korean studies researchers, rotating among countries with robust development in Korean language and culture. This year’s assembly brought together over 100 distinguished scholars, professors, researchers, and lecturers from Korea, Vietnam, Japan, China, and beyond. They presented more than 50 in-depth research papers spanning topics such as Korean language education, interpreter and translator training, digital technology applications in teaching, intercultural education methods, curriculum development, and the multifaceted role of the Hallyu wave in education.
Prof. Dr. Lee Mihye, President of INK, opened the conference with a keynote emphasizing the dual nature of the current era: “Revolutionary innovations in digital technology, along with the global spread of Hallyu, are presenting both challenges and new opportunities for teaching Korean language and culture. Vietnam is no exception to this trend.” She underscored the conference’s role as a meaningful platform for academic exchange that strengthens the friendship and scholarly cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea.
Highlighting Vietnam’s rapid advancement in Korean studies, Woo Hyoung Min, Chief Representative of the Korea Foundation in Vietnam, shared impressive statistics. Since Korean was adopted as Foreign Language 1 in Vietnam’s general education system in 2021, the number of candidates taking the Korean language proficiency test (TOPIK) skyrocketed from 16,000 to 63,000 within just five years. Currently, 48 universities nationwide, including Dong A University, offer Korean language and Korean studies programs, with over 27,000 students enrolled. Korean classes are now widely implemented in middle and high schools across the country, reflecting a nationwide embrace of Korean language education.
Ms. Shin Yoonkyeong, President of the International Association of Korean Language Translators and Interpreters, praised Dong A University’s pioneering role in Central Vietnam. She remarked, “Interest in Korean language and culture is spreading faster in Vietnam than in any other country. Dong A University stands as a leading institution in teaching Korean and researching Hallyu in the Central region.” Shin highlighted that the conference represents a crucial milestone in promoting sustainable academic cooperation and developing language teaching models tailored to local contexts while fostering connections with the broader ASEAN region.
Further emphasizing the evolving academic landscape, Shin noted that Korean language teaching and interpreter/translator training are no longer isolated fields but are increasingly integrated, forming a cohesive academic community that supports and amplifies each other’s efforts. This emerging synergy, supported by modern technology, opens a promising chapter of meaningful collaboration with a forward-looking vision.
Luong Minh Sam, Chairman of the University Council at Dong A University, reflected on Hallyu’s significance beyond cultural trends: “In the digital age, Hallyu is not only a global cultural phenomenon but also an opportunity to innovate Korean language teaching. If properly harnessed, Hallyu can become an effective bridge between the classroom and the wider world.” He elaborated that language and culture education today transcends mere knowledge transmission; it is a journey of connection—linking learners, cultures, and increasingly diverse and flexible global education systems.
The conference’s agenda featured a rich array of sessions, including the opening presentations on the current status and development direction of Korean studies training in Vietnam, strategies for sustaining Korean language learning beyond the initial allure of Hallyu, and approaches to teaching Korean language and culture in the digital era. Following these were 14 specialized sub-committees that dove deep into areas such as teaching methodologies, digital technology applications, curriculum design, interpretation and translation, and intercultural education.
A significant highlight was the signing of two strategic academic cooperation agreements. The first between Dong A University and INK aims to foster international research collaboration, exchange specialized academic materials, and jointly organize exchange programs and international conferences. The second agreement, between Dong A University and the International Association of Korean Language Translators and Interpreters, focuses on developing Korean language training programs, conducting joint research projects, exchanging academic resources, and promoting Korean interpreter and translator proficiency assessments within Vietnam.
In a generous gesture supporting education and research, over 160 specialized Korean language books were donated by prominent publishers including Hawoo, Darakwon, Hangeulpark, and Kong&Park. These valuable resources were presented to Dong A University’s Faculty of Korean Language and Culture and several other universities in the Central region, enhancing the quality of teaching and research in Korean language, culture, and interpretation/translation.
Dr. Phan Hoang My Thuong, Head of the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture at Dong A University, reflected on the conference’s broader impact: “This event is not only a forum for academic discussion but also an opportunity for researchers and educators to expand cooperation, share innovative models, and implement practical initiatives that better meet the demands of education in the digital age. The integration of teaching and interpretation/translation is gradually forming a tightly knit academic community supported by modern technology.”
Overall, the 39th International Conference in Da Nang did more than just underscore the vital role of technology in connecting education and culture. It opened new pathways for Korean language education worldwide and solidified the strategic academic partnership between Vietnam and South Korea. As the Hallyu wave continues to ripple across borders, this gathering of scholars and educators has set the stage for a dynamic future where language learning, cultural exchange, and digital innovation converge to enrich global education.
