Serving Within and Reaching Out

The Vietnamese Community Makes Second Home in Gwangju

Written By Joey Nunez

Photos provided by Nguyen Thi Le Hoa

Away from their first home, a Vietnamese community has made a second home in the Gwangju area.

The Association of Vietnamese Communities in the Gwangju area was established in 2011, providing resources to help Vietnamese workers thrive in Gwangju and information for Korean residents wanting to go to Vietnam. Currently over 10,000 Vietnamese reside in the Gwangju area, with 29 representative commissioners serving this Association.

Nguyen Viet Phong, chairman of the Vietnamese Community, Truong Phi Hung, vice-chairman and chairman of the Vietnamese Students Association at Dongshin University, and Nguyen Le Hoa Sophia, vice-Chairwoman, all visited the Gwangju International Center to share more information about their organization.

Viet Phong first came to Korea in 2006. Despite many difficulties, he had a greater vision while living in Gwangju. “I decided there should be some community founded and also an association for the Vietnamese people to help others who first come to Korea and I became the one to found the association,” he said.

Phi Hung also came in 2006, joining the leadership in 2013 after studying at Dongshin University. “I have been involved in many activities and know many Vietnamese, so I have been considered reliable and even elected by the Vietnamese people to be in my position. I like serving the community,” he said.

Le Hoa joined the team after discovering this community’s outreach abilities. “We were all happy to know that we have the same desire of building a strong and unified Vietnamese community in Korea,” she said.

The Association’s fellowship has benefited the group’s stay in Korea. “I am very happy to know many Vietnamese here, and we are becoming more of a family, like sisters and brothers,” Le Hoa emphasized.

Every success story always has its bumps, and like Viet Phong and Le Hoa, Phi Hung admitted that his studying and work have been affected while serving this community. “Sometimes my family and other people suggest me to stop [helping], but I love this community and I give my support to this community,” Phi Hung said.

Still, with all their personal triumphs and trials, this Association advances its community by meeting needs. Viet Phong shared that he and others, through their organization, have assisted Vietnamese residents in receiving counseling, learning Korean, earning their driver’s licenses, teaching Vietnamese to children and providing other helpful resources.

Viet Phong added, “We also want to spread Vietnamese culture to Korea and to other international communities. … As a result, we have helped counsel organizations for how to invest and live in Vietnam, and anything they need to know about Vietnam.”

Le Hoa additionally stated why continuing to support other organizations is still crucial. “The Vietnamese community also wants to help other international communities when possible. I know a lot of Korean organizations are now cooperative with Vietnam and now wanting to go to Vietnam, so we would like to help and have collaboration together.”

The Association’s official office is located now in Muan, but all three members desire to set their base of operations within Gwangju in the near future.

For now, the chairmen and chairwoman of the Association desire to continue the outreach and extension of their services. When asked what the Association desires the Gwangju community to know, Le Hoa stated, “We really hope that other communities also gather … help and exchange together with our community.”

Viet Phong encouraged the entire Gwangju community. “All students are studying so hard, so I hope that they keep their health …. To the migrant workers, I would like them to live happily and take care of their families. To the labor workers, please continue to work hard and keep the laws in Korea. For other communities, I wish for all of us to come together in collaboration to make us all stronger and to promote each other.”

Every year, the Association holds two big festivals. First, the “Tet Festival” is held to celebrate Vietnam’s New Year. Second, the 3rd “Vietnamese Culture Festival” will be hold on Sunday, September 20, at Chodang University in Muan. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to enjoy food, experience culture, receive free medical treatment, sing and dance karaoke-style, buy items at a flea market and more. Come for this full day of fun with the Vietnamese community!