On July 9, nearly 1,000 pastors, church leaders, Bible translators, and guests gathered at the Institute of Biblical Theology in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate a century of impact for the Vietnamese Bible. The occasion marked the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Traditional Vietnamese Bible and launched the new updated Traditional Bible.
Co-hosted by the Bible Society Vietnam (BSV) alongside local church partners, the thanksgiving service reflected on a century of God’s Word in Vietnamese while celebrating a renewed commitment to Scripture for future generations.
Adding to the significance of this event, coverage of the 100th anniversary featured in national Vietnamese media and profiled the Bible Society’s involvement – something not achieved in at least 50 years.
From 1925 to 2025
Initiated by the British and Foreign Bible Society in the late 19th century, missionaries and translators worked hard for 35 years to produce the first Vietnamese Bible, which was completed in 1925. The original Vietnamese Bible was foundational in shaping Vietnamese Christianity and the Vietnamese language. Known for its elegance and theological clarity, it became the trusted version for generations of believers and remains deeply loved even amidst the emergence of newer translations.
The 1925 edition holds a cherished place in the hearts of Vietnamese Christians. Recognizing its enduring significance, a careful two-year revision was undertaken to update the Traditional Bible for modern readers to improve readability, while retaining the original tone and theological accuracy. This revision was led by a committed team under the principle of “minimum necessary change.”
Celebration of a Century
During the celebrations, the newly updated Traditional Bible was presented to local church leadership and honoured guests.
Congratulations were expressed by the UBS representative, Rev. Arun Sok Nhep, through a video message. Gratitude was expressed to all who contributed, translators and coordinators of the update, as well as the BSVN’s Advisory Board, BSVN’s Management Team, and Reviewing Committee. Gifts of appreciation were also presented to Mr. Phan Nam Sinh, son of the late writer Phan Khoi – a literary figure who had contributed to the 1925 Bible.
Urging the Church to continue trusting and spreading God’s unchanging Word, President of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam, Pastor Thai Phuoc Truong, provided a thanksgiving message based on Isaiah 40:6-8 and 1 Peter 1:22-25.
The Ho Chi Minh City Clergy Choir (pictured) blessed the audience with a performance, singing several hymns.
Launching the Updated Edition
The updated Bible is already making an impact. In the first quarter of 2025, Bible Society Vietnam has published over 57,000 copies of the Traditional Vietnamese Bible (the centennial version) made available in major bookstores nationwide—including Fahasa and Phuong Nam—to meet the anticipated demand during this centennial year.
Looking Ahead Together
As Vietnam enters its next century of Bible engagement, the Bible’s role in public life, family formation, and spiritual development remains vital.
BSV and its partners continue to ensure that God’s Word is available and accessible to all Vietnamese people in the language they speak, understand, and love. With Scripture now available in updated Traditional Vietnamese, a new generation can engage with God’s Word in a linguistically faithful, culturally resonant, and spiritually life-giving way.
