Vietnamese classes have found steadfast roots among the Vietnamese community living in Thailand, particularly due to the persistent dedication of teachers and families committed to keeping the language alive. One shining example of this dedication can be found at the Khánh An Vietnamese Language School located within Vietnam Town, Udon Thani province, Northeast Thailand.
Every Saturday evening, as the streets quiet down, the golden glow from the headquarters of the Vietnamese Association of Udon Thani illuminates the faces of teachers eagerly awaiting their students. At the Khánh An school, students start their classes with the Vietnamese national anthem and reciting Uncle Ho's Five Teachings—an emblematic ritual familiar to many.
The school, operational twice a week, hosts nine groups of students. These groups are supervised by dedicated teachers, guiding young minds through the intricacies of the Vietnamese language—practicing writing, spelling, reading poetry, and learning vocabulary through popular songs.
Among the eager learners is Túc-ta, also known as Hằng Nga, who was born to Vietnamese parents but raised in Thailand. She has been attending Khánh An for the last 1.5 years, determined to master the language and share it with her husband and ten-year-old son. Túc-ta expressed her motivations, saying, “I take pride in being Vietnamese and want my child to feel the same.” Túc-ta, along with her family, shows up diligently for every class, embodying the spirit of the Vietnamese community striving to keep their culture alive.
Founded in 2017 by the former Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand, Nguyễn Tất Thành, alongside Lương Xuân Hòa, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association, the school has consistently evolved, thanks to the input from community stalwarts including Ms. Oanh, Mr. Chun, and others who have dedicated their time and wisdom to this venture.
Mr. Trần Trọng Tài, fondly known as Mr. Chun, at nearly 80 years old, shares his satisfaction as his youngest Thai student now counts fluently in Vietnamese. “We have gathered here from the very beginning of Khánh An’s establishment, following the Party’s and Government’s initiatives: if Vietnamese exists, then the Vietnamese people exist, and if they exist, so does Vietnam,” Mr. Chun said with deep affection for the cause.
The Khánh An school proudly can claim success stories, such as Thanakorn, also known as Huy Hoàng, who recently achieved first prize with a perfect score at the Vietnamese Spelling Bee 2024 competition held at Maha Sarakham University. Huy Hoàng beat the competition, showcasing not only his skills but also the effectiveness of the emotional and educational investment made by the Khánh An teachers.
Having studied Vietnamese for six years, Huy Hoàng states, “I aim to contribute, though it's just a small part of building Vietnam—my heritage, constantly referenced by my grandparents during our conversations.” Such aspirations resonate deeply within the Vietnamese community, echoing their commitment to not only maintaining their language but also nurturing it for future generations.
The backdrop of these efforts isn’t lost on observers. Despite the history of challenges—Vietnamese language classes faced shutdowns due to difficult circumstances like those seen back in 1975—the enduring spirit among teachers and learners continues to shape futures. This may be likened to resilient bamboo growing tall against adversity, confirming the love for their homeland still glows brightly within the hearts of Vietnamese expats.
Ms. Oanh articulated this commitment: “We contribute to our country by teaching these young minds about our culture, our responsibilities to Vietnam, and fostering pride in our roots.” Similar sentiments are echoed by her peers, who quietly labor to instill the values of the motherland through simple yet impactful lessons.
From poetic verses to nuanced phrases, the goal remains the same: ensuring the essence of Vietnamese culture is not just preserved but thrives, echoing far beyond the confines of Vietnam Town. Shriving to keep the language accessible, the educators' efforts pave the way for their students to blend two worlds, reinforcing their unique identities.
Returning to the classroom dynamics, gatherings exhibit warmth and focus. During lessons, as Ms. Hà (or Ms. Tun) guides students to recall lyrics from class, laughter and camaraderie fill the air, underscoring the familial bonds created within simply learning the language. Each interaction absorbs them not just materially but spiritually too, fostering connections rooted deeply within their culture.
Meanwhile, the Krương School remains adaptable; it has adjusted to challenges over the years, allowing it to respond to the needs of the students, be they Thai or Vietnamese. Trending topics, techniques, and methods shift but the core objective stays intact: it is about creating bridges between generations, allowing students to embrace their cultural identities.
This careful nurturing of language and culture reveals the larger narrative at play: not only are refugees or diaspora advocating for their origins, but they're also, through education, actively contributing to the richness and diversity of languages spoken worldwide.
Educators tirelessly believe somewhere among the 25 students currently enrolled, lies future leaders who will one day lend their talents back to Vietnam. Ms. Oanh expresses her hope for the future, remarking, “It would be rewarding to see one of our students return to contribute to the homeland.”
Even as the teachers grow older, they are greatly motivated to pass this torch, instilling vigor and love for their Motherland to the children, pushing boundaries and thriving where the younger generations can rise.
Indeed, are not the efforts of teachers and their dedication to culture like whispers transforming the starlit sky above? The continual quest of refugees to keep their roots alive happens right here at the Khánh An school, where each lesson learned fuels the beautiful melody of resilience and love for the Vietnamese language.
With such vigour, respect for cultural preservation exists firmly at all levels, showcasing the unwavering dedication of the diaspora across Thailand and beyond.