Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam successfully concludes the “Public Speaking Skills” training series

Recently, the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV) successfully concluded a series of three “Public Speaking Skills” courses for DAV students, attracting nearly 100 participants. The programme was organised under the grant “Support for Student Activities at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam”, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Viet Nam, with the aim of providing students with greater access to training opportunities, skills development activities, and capacity-building programmes in a modern and internationally integrated learning environment.

For students of the DAV, the ability to communicate, convey messages, and present viewpoints effectively and confidently in front of audiences is not merely a soft skill, but also an essential asset for their future careers as foreign affairs professionals and diplomats. With this objective in mind, the course was designed to help students steadily develop presentation skills, build self-confidence, cultivate a professional presence, and strengthen their ability to engage audiences.

Speaking at the programme, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin, Vice President of the DAV, highly commended the students’ dedication and commitment to learning and emphasised the importance of equipping students with practical skills alongside academic knowledge. Such skills, she noted, would enable DAV students to participate more confidently in academic pursuits, research activities, and international engagement.

The courses were led by Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, and former Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Drawing upon her extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy, journalism, and public communications, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga brought to the classroom not only valuable knowledge of public speaking techniques, but also practical lessons and insights gained throughout her distinguished diplomatic career

Throughout the programme, students were guided on how to develop effective presentations, from identifying key messages and selecting appropriate delivery approaches to mastering language use, voice projection, professional demeanor, and audience engagement techniques. Through discussions, group activities, and hands-on practice sessions, participants were encouraged to overcome initial hesitation gradually discover presentation styles best suited to their individual strengths.

A distinctive feature of the course was its strong emphasis on practice. Rather than merely listening to lectures, students were encouraged to actively participate and apply what they had learned. During the final session, participants selected their own topics, developed presentation content, and delivered individual presentations before their peers. Through personal stories, perspectives, and experiences, they demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to effectively engage with audiences.

Although conducted over a relatively short period, the course yielded encouraging results. Many students demonstrated significant improvement in their presentation style, greater confidence in public settings, and enhanced ability to transform ideas into impactful messages.

Many presentations received high praise from Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga for their thorough preparation, natural delivery, and meaningful content. At the closing ceremony of each course, students who demonstrated outstanding progress in content development, presentation skills, and persuasive communication were recognized and awarded prizes by the Organizing Committee.

The successful organization of the “Public Speaking Skills” training series further reflects the DAV’s commitment to fostering the holistic development of its students by integrating academic excellence, practical skills, and global competencies. The programme contributes to equipping students with the knowledge, confidence, and adaptability necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected international environment.

Division of External Relations and Communication, Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam