Looking back (and forward…)

And so we come to 2003 which has two important anniversaries – 30 years of UK/Vietnam diplomatic relations and 10 years of the British Council in Vietnam.  Both show the UK’s commitment to long term partnership with Vietnam and as we look back we see how much that relationship has developed culturally and educationally over the last 10 years. Who would have thought that two staff in 1993 would grow to 85 in 2003 and that a handful of English language students a year would grow to over 2500 today? From the one laptop that connected us to the outside world in 1993 we have just launched the Global Village website that connects English learners worldwide and we currently maintain three websites.  From the modest launch of our examinations service in the mid nineties we are now running thousands of examinations from English to vocational skills annually in Vietnam. This year will also see further enhancements to the operation with refurbishments of office premises in both cities.  

Year of the young learner

Everyone knows that learning a new language is best done when you are a child when our learning facility is much better than when we are adults and Vietnam is no exception.  We have celebrated this, the year of the young learner, by increasing the amount of classes available, and running a young learners summer school. Plans are afoot to create a young learners corner in our Information centres

Did  you know?

Senior Arts Manager Graham Sutcliffe was awarded the MBE medal (Member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the development of UK/Vietnam relations in the 2003 UK New Years honours list

Also in 2003

The launch of the new British Council identity and logo

VTTN celebrated its 3rd birthday by holding an evaluation seminar in Hanoi

Award-winning film Bend It Like Beckham was shown to packed audiences in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Ministry of Education officials attend UK workshop on Quality Assurance in schools

Showing of documentary ‘Harmony in Hanoi’ about our project with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra shown on BBC TV and VTV

A word of thanks and acknowledgement

Of course the last 10 years of the British Council in Vietnam would not have been possible without the dedicated, hardworking and skilful past and present staff who we have sought to continually develop through training, coaching, mentoring and distance learning. It would also not have been possible without the willingness and enthusiasm of thousands of Vietnamese people who have wanted to create partnerships with the UK and have knocked at our door as the first step in the process. This exhibition is dedicated to all of you.

Space does not allow us to mention everyone we’ve worked with over the last 10 years in this exhibition but we would like to thank all those who have helped us and been involved in our projects including:

Government Ministers we have supported on study tours to the UK to strengthen ties between our two countries

Corporations and businesses who have generously sponsored our events

People and organisations who helped in setting up the British Council such as the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, especially Ms Pham Chi Lan, and the Ministries of Education and Training and Culture and Information especially former Minister of Higher Education Professor Pham Minh Hac.

The many unnamed people who have attended our events, exhibitions, English classes and examinations and given us valuable feedback and support over the least 10 years.

The British Embassy, Vietnam for their constant support and help

All ex-British Council staff who have moved on to pastures new

All the people who dug deep into their memories to help with this exhibition including Lisa Jones, Ian Simm, Muriel Kirton and Nguyen Van Anh.