Indonesian Language Program in Vietnam Strengthens Cultural Diplomacy and Ties
- 09 Sep 2026 20:45 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- The Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program in Vietnam has registered around 700 applicants in 2026.
- BIPA courses integrate language instruction with cultural exchange to build soft diplomacy.
- Language proficiency is recognized as a key asset under the Indonesia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The rising enthusiasm for learning Bahasa Indonesia in Vietnam is emerging as a new pillar of cultural diplomacy, complementing the formal ties between the two nations.
At the opening of the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) Program at Hanoi University (HANU) on September 7, 2026, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Adam M. Tugio emphasized how language learning has become a bridge between communities.
“When we launched this program in 2018, we dreamed of building a bridge between our peoples. Today, that dream has taken root. This is not just a class, it is a living bridge between Indonesia and Vietnam,” he said in a statement on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
Interest in the program continues to grow. In 2026, BIPA is offered at HANU, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University Hanoi, and the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi, with around 700 registrants and 300 active participants.
HANU alone recorded 450 sign‑ups, while more than 200 joined classes at the embassy. The courses are taught by Dewi Puspa Arum, an instructor from Indonesia assigned by the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Beyond language, BIPA introduces participants to Indonesian culture, traditions, and daily life, making it both an educational and cultural exchange. Ambassador Adam noted that the growing interest coincides with the strengthening of bilateral ties across trade, investment, tourism, education, and culture.
Relations between Indonesia and Vietnam were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2025, with a 2026–2030 Action Plan agreed in July 2026.
In this context, language proficiency is seen as a practical asset for Vietnamese citizens in business, tourism, diplomacy, education, translation, media, and international cooperation. “Language is more than words. It is a gateway to another culture and a tool to open opportunities,” Adam concluded.
For the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi, BIPA is part of a broader effort to strengthen educational cooperation, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties. The program’s popularity shows that bilateral relations are not only built through government agreements but also through curiosity, friendship, and the connections fostered by younger generations. ***
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