Quach Thi Diem: The pride of overseas Vietnamese in Belgium

Three years have gone as Quach Thi Diem has been working as reporter and sub-editor for RTBF radio and television station.

“In Belgium, being a reporter is a hard job as requires practising three languages (French, Dutch and English). 'Seeking reporter' ads are few in newspaper columns. In my 50-member Master of Art class, only a dozen students can find a suitable job. Acting as a newsreader, we must have a clear voice and nice face. Challenging but interesting”, she shared.

Diem’s role in RTBF radio and television station has become a point of pride for the overseas Vietnamese community in this country, thus connecting all members of this community with the local authority. 60% of overseas Vietnamese in Belgium are intellectuals.

Besides healthcare workers, engineers and teachers, Vietnamese in Belgium are extremely successfully in running restaurants. Every week, every month, they organize meetings to keep up with basic news of the homeland, introduce special features of Vietnamese foods and meals, as well as hosting cultural activities toward the nation.

Vietnamese families here spend time cultivating and developing the mother language, and its unique cultural aspects.

“My parents are Vietnamese. I practice Vietnamese at home, while speak French in school. When I was 12-13, I learnt Vietnamese language with a Vietnamese teacher”.

The living standard in Belgium is high. They usually travel when they have free time. Paris – the city of love, Venice – the city of romance, or Hawaii with blue seas and white sand are the most favoured travel destinations of European girls. For Quach Thi Diem, her dream is simple as having a long journey to Vietnam.

“I have visited Vietnam 2 times, when I was 12 and 15. Sometimes, my boss encouraged me when I finished my jobs with best results. And, at that time, I always asked him to send me to Vietnam for producing a report on its land and people. I am trying my best to manage the time for returning Vietnam at least 2-3 weeks.”

Diem’s colleagues in RTBF radio and television station shared their love for Vietnam with Diem, after listening to stories on Vietnamese culture and childhood memoirs each time she travelled to Vietnam.

By demonstrating her love for Vietnam, Diem in particular and other Vietnamese youth in general are not only a pride of the overseas Vietnamese in Belgium, but also working as cultural ambassadors – faithfully and naturally./.

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