Vietnamese winner of Korean speech contest vows to continue learning Korean

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SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Yonhap) -- Tran Thi Huong Ly, the winner of a Korean speech contest for foreigners in South Korea, has said she plans to continue on her journey to learn Korean, calling it a gentle language.

Tran made the remarks after winning the top prize at the 28th World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners, co-hosted by the Institute of International Education at Kyunghee University and Yonhap News Agency, on Thursday.

Tran Thi Huong Ly poses after winning the 28th World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners, held in Seoul on Oct. 15, 2026. (Yonhap)

This year, a total of 1,046 people from 35 countries took part in the contest, 16 of whom from 14 countries competed for the top prize in the final round.

Tran won the grand prize with her speech on how she feels Korean is a language in which the speaker tries to speak carefully in order not to hurt the listener.

"I took part in the contest, thinking of it as a process of learning and did not expect to win the grand prize," Tran said, noting how she became interested in K-pop and K-drama from a young age.

She first came to South Korea to study the language in 2019 and later majored in Korean language education. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Korean language education.

Participants of the 28th World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners pose for a group photo during the contest held in Seoul on Oct. 15, 2026. (Yonhap)

As a person who teaches Korean but is also a foreigner who is learning the language, Tran said she contemplates a lot on how she can help her students better learn Korean.

"I hope to continue to like and walk this road of learning Korean," she said, mentioning that she plans to begin her doctoral degree next year.

The World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners was launched in 1997 to promote the Korean language and mark the 600th birth anniversary of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), who invented the Korean writing system of Hangeul.

A traditional Korean music performance takes place during the 28th World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners, held in Seoul on Oct. 15, 2026. (Yonhap)

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Vietnamese winner of Korean speech contest vows to continue learning Korean

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