VLS’s 31st Anniversary: 6 Epic Language and Sports Contests

Introduction

Every November, VLS (Vietnamese Language Studies) celebrates its anniversary with a spirit of joy, connection, and community. This year marks a special milestone — 31 years since our founding on November 20, 1994. For over three decades, VLS has been more than just a Vietnamese language school; it has been a vibrant community where expats in Vietnam, overseas Vietnamese come together to learn, share, and celebrate Vietnamese language and culture.

To commemorate this meaningful occasion, VLS is organizing a month-long celebration filled with exciting contests and tournaments. These events are designed to showcase not only our learners’ language skills but also their creativity, teamwork, and appreciation. Participants will have the chance to express themselves through writing, speech, and video — and also enjoy friendly competition in various sports activities.

This year’s anniversary includes two main highlights:

• Vietnamese Language Contests – for those who love expressing ideas through words, stories, and creativity.
  
• Sport Tournaments – for those who enjoy energy, movement, and community bonding.

Join us in celebrating 31 years of learning, connection, and culture — the spirit that has shaped VLS into a dynamic community where learners from around the world come together to explore Vietnam through its language, people, and traditions.

Vietnamese Language Contests

As part of the 31st-anniversary celebration, VLS invites students, staff, overseas Vietnamese, and expats in Ho Chi Minh City to explore the beauty of the Vietnamese language & culture through three exciting contests. Each activity encourages creativity, cultural understanding, and personal expression — all while celebrating the essence of Vietnamese learning and community.

Video Contest 2025 — “What Vietnamese Means to Me”

What does the Vietnamese language mean to you? How has it shaped your journey, friendships, or view of Vietnam?
Join the Video Contest 2025 and express your story through your own creative lens.

Registration form: CLICK HERE 

Overview:
Showcase your creativity through a short video (1–5 minutes) telling your personal story about what Vietnamese means to you. You can create a vlog, poem, photo series, or artwork — just make sure your video includes at least 50% Vietnamese content.
After submission, your video will be shared on VLS’s Facebook and Instagram.

• Participation: Open to all levels of Vietnamese learners (individual entries only)
• Final submission deadline: 18:00 (GMT+7) November 15, 2025
• Engagement scoring period: November 16 – 19, 2025
• Format: Online
• Results announcement: November 20, 2025 on VLS’s official channels (Facebook, Instagram, Website)
  

How to Join:
1️⃣ Create something inspired by the theme “What Vietnamese Means to Me.”
2️⃣ Make a 1–5 minute video to present your creation.
3️⃣ Submit your entry via the form by November 15 (18:00 GMT+7).
4️⃣ Once posted on social media, comment and tag 3 friends, and share your post with #VLSAnniversary2025 and #WhatVietnameseMeanstoMe.

Judging Criteria:
Total Score = 60% Engagement + 40% VLS Evaluation

• Engagement (Likes, Comments, Shares) — 60%
  
• VLS Evaluation (Visuals, Creativity, Message) — 40%
  

Prizes:
First Prize: 5,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate
Second Prize: 3,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate
Third Prize: 1,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate
All participants: 500,000 VND scholarship voucher + VLS handbook + Certificate

Creative Writing Contest 2025

Some moments stay with us forever — a teacher’s encouragement, the joy of understanding something new, or laughter shared in class. The Creative Writing Contest 2025 invites you to relive those memories and express your gratitude through Vietnamese writing.

Registration form: CLICK HERE 

Theme:
Describe a special or unforgettable moment you shared with a teacher and explain why it meant so much to you.

Overview:
Write a short essay in Vietnamese based on the theme. Submissions can be:

• Online: a photo of handwritten work, or Word/PDF file
• Offline: printed copy submitted directly at any VLS campus
• Final submission deadline: 18:00 (GMT+7) November 15, 2025
• Results: November 20, 2025 on VLS’s official channels (Facebook, Instagram, Website)

Requirements:

• Levels: Beginner and Pre-Intermediate
• Word count:
  
  • Beginner: at least 200 words
    
  • Pre-Intermediate: at least 400 words

Note: Participants are not allowed to resubmit entries from previous years.

Judging Criteria:
Each submission is scored (1–5 scale) on:

• Content, Fluency, Lexical Accuracy, Spelling Accuracy
  Scoring Weight: 60% Academic Team + 40% Marketing Team
  

Prizes:
First Prize (Beginner Level): 3,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate
First Prize (Pre-Intermediate Level): 3,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate
All participants: 500,000 VND scholarship voucher + VLS handbook + Certificate

Speech Contest 2025 

Step into the spotlight and let your Vietnamese voice shine! Tell us what fascinates you most about Vietnam — its people, culture, or traditions — in the Speech Contest 2025.

Registration form: CLICK HERE  

Theme:
Share what fascinates you most about Vietnamese culture and traditions, and how it left a lasting impression on you.

Overview:
Deliver a speech in Vietnamese expressing your insights and feelings about Vietnam’s culture. Participants may use slides or videos. Equipment such as a projector and a laptop will be available.

• Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Venue: VLS Phú Mỹ Hưng (former Tân Phú Ward, District 7)
• Results: Announced right after the contest
• Registration Deadline: November 13, 2025
• Official results will be announced right after the contest on November 16, 2025.
  

Requirements:

• Open to VLS students and external participants (external entrants must take a placement test)
• Online participation via Zoom is available for those living outside HCMC
• Levels: Intermediate (B1.1–B2.1) and Advanced (B2.2–C2)
• All speeches should be delivered in Vietnamese and last between 3 to 10 minutes.
• Note: Participants are not allowed to resubmit entries from previous years.
  

Prizes:
Intermediate Level:
4,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate
2,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate (Second Prize will be awarded if there are at least 5 participants)

 Advanced Level:
4,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate
2,000,000 VND Scholarship + Certificate (Second Prize will be awarded if there are at least 5 participants)
All participants: 500,000 VND scholarship voucher + VLS handbook + Certificate

✨ Whether you love writing, performing, or creating, these contests are a great way to express yourself in Vietnamese, connect with other learners, and celebrate the 31st anniversary of VLS (Vietnamese Language Studies) — a community that brings everyone closer to the heart of Vietnamese culture.

Sport Tournaments

Alongside the language and culture contests, VLS is also hosting a series of sport tournaments to celebrate its 31st anniversary this November. These events are designed to bring together students, alumni, and expats in Vietnam in a fun, active, and community-oriented way — reflecting the VLS belief that learning Vietnamese goes hand in hand with connecting, sharing, and growing together.

We would love to express our gratitude to our sponsors for their generous support of these events:

— Platinum Sponsors: VIX Dental Clinic, Peace Dentistry, Whale Hair Salon

— Bronze Sponsors: Star Kitchen and Lành Farm

Table Tennis Tournament

Fast-paced and full of energy, the VLS Table Tennis Tournament celebrates agility, precision, and sportsmanship. It’s a perfect opportunity for friendly matches, laughter, and community bonding — all under the shared spirit of VLS.

Table Tennis Tournament Rules and Regulations: CLICK HERE

 Venue: Table Tennis Club – 7A/15 Thành Thái, Diên Hồng Ward, HCMC (District 10)
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 18:30
Format: Mixed singles
Eligibility: Open to all VLS students and staff, Việt Kiều, Overseas Vietnamese, Foreigners

Entry fee: 400,000 VND/person (Early Bird) | 500,000 VND/person (Regular)

*Complete your registration and payment by October 30, 2025 to enjoy the early bird rate.

Registration Deadline: November 5, 2025

Let’s serve up some fun, friendly matches, and unforgettable moments! ????

Pickleball Tournament

Pickleball has quickly become a favorite sport in Vietnam — and this November, it’s your turn to join the fun! The VLS Pickleball Tournament combines teamwork, quick reflexes, and great energy in one of the most inclusive sports ever.

Pickleball Tournament Rules and Regulations: CLICK HERE

Venue: GoPick court – 250 Lương Định Của Street, An Khánh Ward, HCMC, VN
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 8:30 – 12:00
Format: Doubles
Eligibility: Open to all VLS students and staff, Việt Kiều, Overseas Vietnamese, Foreigners

Entry fee: 650,000 VND/person (Early Bird) | 690,000 VND/person (Regular)

*Complete your registration and payment by October 30, 2025 to enjoy the early bird rate.

Registration Deadline: November 12, 2025

Bring your best serve, your brightest smile, and let’s make it a morning full of excitement and community spirit! ????

Pool Tournament

A mix of precision, focus, and friendly competition — the VLS Pool Tournament invites players of all levels to challenge themselves and enjoy the thrill of the game. It’s not only about winning but also about having a great time with fellow learners and members of the VLS community.

Pool Tournament Rules and Regulations: CLICK HERE

Venue: Empty Arena Sg – 771 Trần Xuân Soạn Street, Tân Hưng Ward, HCMC (District 7)
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 18:30
Format: Mixed singles
Eligibility: Open to all VLS students and staff, Việt Kiều, Overseas Vietnamese, Foreigners

Entry fee: 400,000 VND/person (Early Bird) | 500,000 VND/person (Regular)

*Complete your registration and payment by October 30, 2025 to enjoy the early bird rate.

Registration Deadline: November 13, 2025

Rack up your cue, bring your best game, and let’s make it a memorable day together! ✨

Conclusion

From heartfelt speeches and creative storytelling to the thrill of friendly matches, every activity at Vietnamese Language Studies is designed to celebrate learning, connection, and community. Whether through words or through sports, these contests bring together students, teachers, staff, overseas Vietnamese, and expats in Vietnam to share their passion, challenge themselves, and experience Vietnamese culture in authentic, joyful ways.

Each event is more than a competition — it’s a bridge between language and life, helping learners grow both in confidence and in cultural understanding. We believe that every conversation, every game, and every shared experience brings you one step closer to truly living the Vietnamese language.