Nghiêm Việt Hương awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun

Dr. Nghiêm Việt Hương, former Head of the Japanese Language Department at the University of Hanoi, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by the Government of Japan.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki presented the honor during a ceremony attended by faculty, former students, and colleagues. The award recognizes Dr. Hương’s lifelong dedication to fostering friendship and understanding between Vietnam and Japan through language education.

Ambassador Ito Naoki highlighted Dr. Hương’s contributions over more than half a century, noting his efforts to develop Japanese language curricula and textbooks during periods when resources were scarce. Notably, his 1997 publication, ‘Basic Japanese Dictionary,’ became a foundational resource for generations of Vietnamese learners. Dr. Hương’s journey with the Japanese language began in North Korea in the late 1960s and continued through advanced studies in Japan, eventually leading to his long tenure shaping Japanese studies in Vietnam.