Vietnamese language achievements are being increasingly recognized globally, exemplified by notable events and innovations showcasing its cultural essence. Recently, the young footballer Xuân Son expressed his gratitude to fans and supporters by delivering his acceptance speech in Vietnamese after being awarded the 'Best Foreign Player' at the 2024 Ballon d'Or Vietnam ceremony.
The prestigious event, which took place on January 10, 2024, at the Military Theater, was graced by the presence of H'Hen Niê, who presented the award to Xuân Son. His emotional tribute to both his roots and the fans exemplified the growing prominence of Vietnamese in various fields, particularly where cultural identity is deeply interwoven with personal achievements. "I am truly happy to accept this honor, and speaking my mother tongue makes it even more special. Thank you to everyone who has supported me!" Xuân Son said, highlighting the significance of language in personal and national identity.
On another front, Vietnam boasts one of the highest internet penetration rates globally, with over 70% of its population connected online, primarily via smartphones. Yet, challenges remain as the lack of Vietnamese language support hinders user experience across numerous technologies. For example, among the 4.3 million mobile applications available on leading app stores, the number of apps fully supporting the Vietnamese language is still alarmingly low. This gap reflects the broader issue, as many popular social media apps offered to Vietnamese users continue to lack seamless integration, making the digital experience frustrating for native speakers.
Despite these challenges, positive advancements are occurring. Notably, Samsung has placed considerable emphasis on including Vietnamese language support within its innovative AI technology. Launched with the Galaxy S24 Series, the flagship phone incorporated 'Galaxy AI,' which understands Vietnamese and simplifies various tasks, ensuring users can interact with their devices using their native language. This landmark development positioned Samsung as not only a technological leader but also as a cultural ally.
"With 'Galaxy AI,' users can now communicate with their smartphones just by speaking naturally, as if talking to friends. This enriches their experience significantly," said Trần Tuấn Minh, the project lead at Samsung who oversaw the AI’s development. He expressed immense pride as 'Vietnamese' became the default language setting for new devices, significantly eleviating Vietnam's linguistic status within the tech sphere.
The significance of this achievement is manifold. It validates the technical capabilities and cultural nuances of the Vietnamese language, often noted to be one of the world's most complex languages due to its tonal system and intricacies. Recognizing this complexity, Samsung’s engineers worked closely with local universities to collect extensive linguistic data, allowing the AI to process and respond to everyday commands effectively. "This success is not only ours but symbolizes the collective efforts of the Vietnamese community embracing their language within the digital domain," Minh added.
Looking forward, the collaboration between Samsung and Vietnam is poised to grow even stronger, with investments generating hundreds of thousands of jobs and fostering local talent. Recent initiatives include extensive educational programs aimed at aspiring tech professionals, such as the 'Solve For Tomorrow' competition for high schoolers and 'Innovation Campus' for underserved university students, encouraging innovative solutions using technology.
Through these initiatives, Samsung is reinforcing its commitment to Vietnam, particularly as the nation prepares to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations with Germany. Cultural exchange will continue as seen during the recent 'Berlin Night' concert, marking this celebration. Renowned Vietnamese and German artists came together, showcasing traditional Vietnamese music such as 'Bèo dạt mây trôi,' performed by NSƯT Phạm Khánh Ngọc alongside German artist Katharine Mehrling. The event highlighted the importance of music as a universal language, bridging cultural divides.
Performance opportunities like this not only allow for the celebration of Vietnamese culture but also demonstrate the increasing international recognition and respect for the language. The event’s impact reinforces the sentiment shared by attendant guests who celebrated both the harmony of the evening and the underlying message of unity through art.
With new technologies converging alongside cultural accolades, the achievements of the Vietnamese language are rapidly stepping onto the global stage, emboldened by innovators like Samsung and artists who advocate for cultural traditions. The future is bright as the Vietnamese language continues to evolve and adapt within both local and international contexts, shattering the barriers of complexity and misrepresentation.
Recent progress indicates Vietnamese will only continue to gain recognition and support, propelling its speakers toward greater communication and cultural representation worldwide.