The Association of Vietnamese Professionals and Intellectuals in Denmark met to review its activities in 2023 and set directions for 2024, focusing on expanding its membership network and increasing community-oriented activities.
In the vibrant spring atmosphere in the city of Århus, on March 9, 2024, the Association of Vietnamese Professionals and Intellectuals in Denmark (AVIDE) held a meeting to review its work in 2023 and discuss its activity plan for 2024.
The meeting was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Denmark, H.E. Luong Thanh Nghi, the Association’s Advisory Board, including Mr. Phan Ke Dat – CEO of DP Ventilation A/S, Professor Dang Duong Bang – Technical University of Denmark, Chief Physician Ho Quang Luong – Aalborg University Hospital, Ms. Mariam Trinh, the AVIDE Executive Board, along with representatives including professionals, scientists, PhD students, university students, and interns studying and working from cities across Denmark.
The Executive Board of the Association of Vietnamese Professionals and Intellectuals in Denmark took a commemorative photo with Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi, the Advisory Board, and guests. Source: AVIDE
On behalf of the Executive Board, Dr. Le Quy Vang, President of the Association of Vietnamese Professionals and Intellectuals in Denmark, reported on the Association’s achievements in 2023 and outlined some directions for activities in 2024. Although established just over a year ago, the Association has gradually consolidated its organizational structure and carried out specific activities to serve the community.
The Association has organized seminars and experience-sharing sessions on studying, living, and working in the host country, providing practical information to help Vietnamese PhD students, university students, and interns integrate into the community in Denmark. The Association has continuously strived to establish and expand its network with local associations, actively participating in Vietnamese associations in Europe and looking towards the homeland. Dr. Vang emphasized that in the coming time, the Association will continue to realize its Purpose, Mission, and Core Values: “Connect – Support – Develop – Contribute” (for the Vietnamese and Danish communities and societies). The Association aims to continue expanding its membership network within the intellectual and community groups, contributing skills and expertise, and working towards the interests of its members and the Vietnamese community in Vietnam and Denmark. President Vang emphasized that the Association’s achievements over the past year are significantly due to the companionship and support of Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi and the Embassy in general, the members of the Advisory Board, and the enthusiastic participation and support of Vietnamese people in Denmark, Vietnam, and many other parts of the world through online platforms.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi congratulated the Association on its significant achievements over the past year. The Ambassador acknowledged and highly appreciated the Association’s efforts and contributions to the positive development of the Vietnamese community in Denmark.
Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi speaking at the meeting. Source: AVIDE
Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi stated that the Vietnamese community currently has approximately 16,000 people living and working in Denmark and is one of the communities highly regarded by the local authorities for its intellect, diligence, and strict adherence to the law. The Ambassador emphasized: The country’s achievements in 2023 were positively contributed to by the Vietnamese community abroad, including the Vietnamese community in Denmark, and among these, the contributions of the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals in Denmark are a bright spot that needs to be promoted.
On behalf of the Advisory Board, Mr. Phan Ke Dat expressed great pleasure and enthusiasm regarding the Association’s activities and development over the past year. He highly appreciated the Education and Communication Board for organizing numerous webinars to share useful knowledge and experiences with the community, especially young intellectuals. Mr. Dat emphasized that in-person meetings are much more meaningful and practical than online gatherings. Mr. Dat expressed his wish that in the coming time, the Association would expand its membership network, especially increasing the number of members who are professionals and intellectuals born and raised in Denmark. On this occasion, Mr. Phan Ke Dat, representing DP Ventilation A/S, presented the Association with a donation of 10,000 kroner. In 2023, when the Association was newly established, DP Ventilation A/S also raised 10,000 kroner for the Association. This amount, along with the encouragement, motivation, and advice from Mr. Dat and the Advisory Board, significantly empowered the Executive Board of the Association of Intellectuals in its early days. In the coming time, to develop steadily and continue to have more practical community-oriented activities, the Association greatly needs the community’s support and contributions in terms of both human resources and funding.
Association President Le Quy Vang, on behalf of the Association, presented a gift and thanked Mr. Phan Ke Dat. Source: AVIDE
Ms. Duong Kieu Nhung, Treasurer, reported on the Association’s income and expenditures for 2023 on behalf of the Association. As a community-oriented organization, the Association advocates for financial transparency and openness. Members of the Executive Board operate on a voluntary basis, receiving no salary or any economic benefits. This spirit will be a guiding principle throughout the Association’s development, now and in the future.
Following the speeches by the delegates, a lively discussion session took place. Many practical questions were raised, such as support for administrative and legal procedures for studying and working in Denmark, as well as research cooperation and knowledge transfer with partners in Vietnam. As a representative of the generation of Vietnamese people born in Denmark, Mr. Phi Nguyen suggested that professional and career development support activities would attract the participation of young Vietnamese people in Denmark.
A topic that the Association and guests discussed very actively was the preservation of national identity, with a focus on teaching and learning Vietnamese for Vietnamese children in Denmark. The conference received shares and contributions from Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Dr. Nguyen Tien Thong, and Ms. Mariam Trinh regarding teacher training, curriculum, teaching formats and methods, opening classes, and fundraising. Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi stated that the Embassy would be ready to provide teaching materials and textbooks for Vietnamese language classes for the community.
At the end of the conference, Mr. Phan Ke Dat, CEO of DP Ventilation, introduced his company and shared valuable experiences in starting and developing businesses in Denmark and Vietnam.
Performance by Teresa Nga Nguyen. Source: AVIDE
After the agenda, the delegates enjoyed the soulful voice of singer Teresa Nga Nguyen, who performed meaningful Vietnamese songs.
The gathering concluded with very positive impressions and confidence in the Association’s future development. The Association’s Executive Board sincerely thanks all delegates and guests who traveled long distances, participated enthusiastically, and provided valuable contributions to the Association. The success of the meeting is a promising sign, heralding a new year – 2024 – with beneficial activities and stronger growth for the Association.
On this occasion, the organizing committee apologizes that due to limited seating and the short preparation time, some highly esteemed delegates could not be invited. We hope that for the next gathering in Copenhagen, we will send invitations earlier and be able to invite a larger number of guests to attend and share their valuable contributions to the Association in the future.
