Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of American Hangout in Thai Nguyen

On the morning of December 17, Thai Nguyen University, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Viet Nam, held a ceremony to mark the 5th anniversary of the establishment of American Hangout in Thai Nguyen. The event was attended by Ms. Courtney Beale, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Viet Nam; Ms. Elizabeth Stromme, Regional Director of American Spaces; leaders of Thai Nguyen University; and representatives of the leadership of the Thai Nguyen Provincial People’s Committee Office and the Thai Nguyen Department of Education and Training.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Hung, Director of Thai Nguyen University, delivers a speech at the anniversary.

Established in December 2020, American Hangout in Thai Nguyen has gradually affirmed its role as a hub for knowledge exchange, cultural connection, and innovation. It has provided students, lecturers, and the community with numerous opportunities to access modern knowledge, enhance foreign language proficiency, develop critical thinking skills, and expand international integration.

After five years of operation, American Hangout has not only served as a venue for cultural exchange but has also become an open learning environment that promotes lifelong learning, creativity, and entrepreneurship for young people, particularly students in the northern midland and mountainous regions.

Ms. Courtney Beale, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Viet Nam stated: "This collaboration between the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Thai Nguyen University is a part of a global network of American Spaces – one of nearly 600 such spaces around the world. In just five years, the American Hangout has hosted 200 programs and welcomed more than 20,000 visitors, an impressive achievement by any standard.

These programs, encouraging English language learning, developing entrepreneurial skills, building curiosity and innovation in STEM, all help build on the valued partnership not only between the U.S. Embassy and the University, but between the United States and Vietnam more broadly."

Ms. Courtney Beale, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Viet Nam, presents awards to outstanding students.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Hung, President of Thai Nguyen University sais: “In the coming time, we will continue to coordinate with the U.S. Embassy, American cultural spaces, departments and agencies of Thai Nguyen Province to develop this Space into a center for cultural exchange and knowledge connection, creating an innovative environment not only for Thai Nguyen students but for all those who are interested, especially Thai Nguyen people.”

Within the framework of the program, awards were also presented to outstanding students participating in the project “Journey to Explore American Culture” and the competition “Innovative Startup Models.”