Da Lat, 20 April 2025 – The Da Lat Deaf School buzzed with excitement over the past two days as it hosted a groundbreaking workshop for the Vietnamese Sign Language: 2025 Collection (VSL2025) Phase 1 project, aimed at building a comprehensive VSL dataset to enhance accessibility and education for Vietnam’s deaf community. More than 10 students, three teachers, and members of the school’s director board participated in this vibrant event, organized by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT).
The workshop, held on 17–18 April 2025, saw eight dedicated signers from the school community record 2,000 sign videos (250 signs each), 400 sentence videos (50 sentences each), and 10 conversation videos in approximately five recording sessions. These efforts contribute to the VSL2025 project’s goal of creating a digital archive of Vietnamese Sign Language to power AI-driven tools, such as real-time interpretation apps and educational platforms, for future generations.
Participants expressed infectious enthusiasm for the digital future. Student Nguyen Bao Ngoc, 16, shared, “I’m proud to help preserve our sign language and make it accessible through technology. AI can help us learn and connect better!” Director board member Nguyen N. Minh added, “We welcome this workshop and how AI can transform schooling for deaf students, making lessons more interactive and inclusive.”
AVSTC project staff emphasized the workshop’s impact: “By adopting AI technology, we’re not just supporting our students today but empowering future generations of the deaf community to thrive in a digital world.” The team recorded conversation videos in pairs, showcasing real-life VSL dialogues, which will train AI models to recognize regional variations, such as Da Lat’s unique signs.
The Da Lat workshop, supported by volunteer assistants who coordinated signers and equipment, marked a significant step toward a tech-driven, inclusive Vietnam. Data collected is securely stored on AVSTC’s servers. This success sets the stage for VSL2025’s expansion to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, promising a brighter future for deaf education.
Jenny Pham
Edu4deaf.org
