The ceremony began with the flag-raising and the resonant sound of the Vietnamese national anthem, evoking the historic moment on September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh read the Independence Declaration. Guests then watched a documentary highlighting the eight-decade journey of building and defending the country, along with its aspirations for renewal, integration, and development.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Phung The Long stressed the great significance of the August Revolution and National Day. He affirmed the Vietnamese people's deep pride in their glorious past, current achievements, and shared optimism about a new era of the nation's rise.
On this occasion, Long also announced the decision to present a certificate of merit to teachers of the Zurich-based Binh Minh School, a centre dedicated to teaching the Vietnamese language.
In response, Ngoc Dung Moser, General Secretary of the Vietnamese People Association in Switzerland, recalled the challenges faced when the school was first established, and expressed pride that the language has been recognised as an elective one in public schools in Zurich.
“In this era of globalisation, we may live in many places, speak different languages, and embrace diverse cultures. But only Vietnamese reminds us of our roots,” she said.
Tran Dinh Linh Phuong, a teacher at the Binh Minh School, said that she is grateful to receive the certificate of merit from the Vietnamese Embassy, considering this a timely encouragement for teachers – those who spare no effort and time to teach the mother tongue to children at the school.
