Three first prize winners at Hai Phong Korean language contest

The Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Association of Koreans in Hai Phong, held the final round of the 12th Hai Phong Korean Language Contest at the City Convention and Performance Center on the afternoon of November 1.

Attending the event were Tran Thi Quynh Trang, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Jang Bok-hyun, Chairman of the Association of Koreans in Hai Phong; Choi Gi Won, Minister-Counselor and Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam; and representatives of agencies, organizations, schools and businesses, as well as teachers, parents and a large audience.

This year's contest attracted a large number of students and Korean language enthusiasts from across the city, with support from schools, Korean businesses, Korean universities and colleges, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam.

Contestants competed in three categories: Category A for junior high school students; Category B for senior high school students; and Category C for students from colleges and universities, as well as working adults.

According to the judging panel, the overall quality of contestants improved markedly compared with previous editions. They demonstrated strong Korean language proficiency, confidence and flexibility, along with good communication skills and language response abilities.

At the conclusion of the contest, the organizing committee presented first prizes to three contestants: Nguyen Thanh Truc from Hong An Junior High School in Category A; Phung Khanh Linh from Marie Curie Senior High School in Category B; and Vu Truong An, a student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, in Category C. It also awarded three second prizes, three third prizes and six consolation prizes to outstanding contestants across the three categories.

In particular, based on its assessment of the contestants' performances in the final round, Dong Seoul University selected three outstanding contestants to receive scholarships.

Held annually, the Korean language contest not only provides a platform for students and workers to exchange knowledge and improve their foreign language skills but also helps promote cultural and educational exchanges and strengthen people-to-people ties between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

BUI HANH