Photo contest "Moments of children learning Vietnamese" and Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 in Japan: Spreading love for mother tongue

On October 5, 2025, the Vietnamese Language Association in Japan (HVN) successfully organized the award ceremony of the photo contest "Moments of children learning Vietnamese" in conjunction with the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival at Kasai Elementary School No. 7, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo City. The event attracted more than 650 attendees, including Vietnamese parents, children, Japanese families and a large number of young volunteers - a testament to the great appeal of preserving the national language among the overseas Vietnamese community.

With the mission of preserving the Vietnamese language as the "soul of the nation", the program not only brings joy to Children's Day but also arouses love for the homeland in the young generation living abroad.

The photo contest “Moments of children learning Vietnamese” for children aged 3 to 15, was launched by HVN from September 1 to 20, 2025, with the judging period from September 21 to 25. The contest received 63 entries, capturing authentic and lovely images of children's journey of learning Vietnamese in Japan. The award ceremony combined with the Mid-Autumn Festival was held offline, creating a joyful space imbued with Vietnamese identity through art performances, folk games and meaningful gifts.

The event especially honored the guests, notably Mr. Kitagawa Toshifumi - Vice President of the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Association. In an interview in fluent Vietnamese, he shared: "I am very happy to see Vietnamese children preserving their homeland's culture in the heart of Japan. I hope they will learn both Japanese and Vietnamese well so that in the future they can become ambassadors connecting Japan and Vietnam better and better."

The highlight was the award ceremony, based on photo quality, propaganda meaning and community interaction. The collective award went to the "I love Vietnamese" class in Niiza (registration number 041) and the Vietnam Women's Union in Japan (052), honoring the spirit of solidarity. The Impression Award went to Nguyen Duc An Vinh and Nguyen Linh Sam (017). Individual awards: Encouragement for 10 excellent children; Third Prize for Tran Nguyen Khanh Vy, Nguyen Ngoc Minh Khoi and Nguyen Nhat Minh; Second Prize for Tran Khanh Phong (Kirin), Dinh Ngoc Que Chi and Dinh Nhat Vi An; First Prize for Nguyen Phu Duy Anh and Nguyen Thi Minh Anh. The child who won the first prize shared: "I like to learn Vietnamese to tell stories about my life to my grandparents in Vietnam every day, I really like talking to my grandparents."

The success of the event was due to the enthusiastic participation of young volunteers – young Vietnamese people in Japan – demonstrating the vitality of cultural activities for future generations. The program ended with the Full Moon Festival, with lantern procession, lion dance and folk games, continuing the spirit of community solidarity.

HVN pledges to continue its activities so that the Vietnamese language can be heard forever in Japan, as a bond of love between generations. This event not only brings joy but also affirms the role of the overseas Vietnamese community in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/cuoc-thi-anh-khoanh-khac-be-hoc-tieng-viet-va-tet-trung-thu-2025-tai-nhat-ban-lan-toa-tinh-yeu-tieng-me-de-post1784316.tpo