Brussels (VNA) – For the first time, Vietnamese books have officially been placed on the shelves of Muntpunt Library - the largest public library in Brussels, marking a meaningful step in promoting the mother tongue of Vietnamese families in Belgium.
More than just storybooks, these Vietnamese books serve as a cultural bridge, connecting children living far from the homeland with the cultural heritage of their ancestors.
The Vietnamese-language book collection, presented by the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium (UGVB), features folktales such as The Hundred-Knot Bamboo Tree, along with poetry and picture books aimed at children aged under 7.
Amid the dominant languages in Belgium—French, Dutch, German and English—Vietnamese now gains a foothold, serving as a bridge between children of Vietnamese descent and their cultural roots.
Brenda, a coordinator at the library, said that Muntpunt always strives to support immigrant communities in preserving their native languages and building a sustainable reading foundation for children. She described the presence of Vietnamese books in such public cultural space as “incredibly valuable”.
Nguyen Chung Thuy, head of the UGVB's Culture and Society Committee, said the initiative aims to build a “Vietnamese corner” where children can read, recite poetry, play traditional games and use their mother tongue with ease and joy.
At the book handover ceremony, 13-year-old Vu Hong Ngan said Vietnamese books remind her of reading with her grandparents in Vietnam and help her retain her language skills.
Meanwhile, Lisa, who is nine and was born in Belgium, impressed attendees by reading Vietnamese poetry fluently. Inspired by her mother’s lullabies and stories, the girl said she enjoys discovering more Vietnam through books.
Author and journalist Kieu Bich Huong contributed her comic series "OGO Code", which portrays the lives of children in multicultural families. She stressed that reading in one’s mother tongue strengthens both cultural identity and family bonds.
Parents play a vital role in preserving the Vietnamese language at home. Many have formed small support groups to share experiences and encourage one another to keep their heritage language alive./.
