Spanish Prime Minister’s Speech inspires USSH students

On April 10, during his official visit to Vietnam, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez–Castejón visited the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (USSH, VNU–HCM). The visit underscored his commitment to strengthening educational and cultural ties between Spain and Vietnam.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at engaging with Vietnamese students passionate about the Spanish language and culture. He highlighted the critical importance of foreign language proficiency in a globalized world and commended the university’s dedication to Spanish language instruction. He also conveyed his deep appreciation for the professionalism and enthusiasm of the teaching staff.

Prime Minister Sánchez expresses joy in meeting Vietnamese youth passionate about Spanish – Photo: Lý Nguyên

Impressed by the students’ fluency in Spanish, Prime Minister Sánchez noted that the exchange offered a unique opportunity for direct dialogue with a high–ranking international leader.

In response to a student’s question regarding his sources of inspiration, the Prime Minister shared that he draws inspiration from many sources, notably Miguel de Cervantes—the author of the iconic novel Don Quixote. He described Cervantes’ work as emblematic of Spain’s rich literary heritage and a cornerstone in the evolution of the Spanish language. Mr. Sánchez emphasized that, for young people, dreams serve as the most powerful motivation – a compass guiding them through challenges toward their aspirations.

Students share their experiences learning Spanish – Photo: Lý Nguyên

The Prime Minister underscores the value of language learning in a globalized era – Photo: Lý Nguyên

Following the exchange, Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan, Rector of USSH, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Prime Minister’s meaningful visit. She noted, “This visit is a profound source of encouragement for the university, especially for our students studying Spanish culture, to strive for continued excellence.”

Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan, Rector of USSH, expresses sincere appreciation for the Prime Minister’s visit – Photo: LY NGUYEN

As a token of appreciation, Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan presented Prime Minister Sánchez with a handcrafted rice portrait featuring traditional Vietnamese imagery, created by a local artisan, along with a bouquet of cosmos flowers freshly picked from the university’s garden. These gifts symbolized the university’s hope for enduring cooperation between Vietnam and Spain.

Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan presents a handcrafted rice portrait to the Prime Minister – Photo: Lý Nguyên

The visit by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez–Castejón was a memorable event that opened new avenues for international engagement for USSH students.

Some highlights from the meeting:

Source: LÝ NGUYÊN – TUẤN VŨ – THU THẢO
Translated by: Như Quỳnh Lý