Vietnam and Indonesia promote linguistic heritage and national identity

Vietnam and Indonesia are utilizing dedicated national observances to preserve linguistic heritage and strengthen national identity against the pressures of globalization and digital individualism. Vietnam celebrates Language Day on September 8, while Indonesia observes Language Month in October, centered around the 1928 Youth Pledge.

In Vietnam, efforts to promote the mother tongue extend to overseas communities. Following Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW from the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, there is an increased emphasis on using the Vietnamese language as a vital link between the diaspora and the homeland. Programs including language classes, book collections, and cultural activities aim to empower overseas Vietnamese to act as cultural ambassadors.

While Vietnamese and Indonesian belong to different linguistic families, the two nations share cultural similarities rooted in agrarian traditions and community-centric values, such as the Indonesian concept of ‘Gotong Royong’ and similar Vietnamese proverbs emphasizing collective strength.