Saleem Hammad: Man acts as cultural bridge between Vietnam and the Arab world

Once named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Arabs in the World”, the man has earned admiration not only for his fluency in Vietnamese but also for his deep and enduring affection for the S-shaped nation he now calls “second home”.

As recently reported by the Nhan Dan Newspaper, Saleem first arrived in Vietnam in November 2011 on a government scholarship to study at the Ha Noi University.

What began as an academic journey soon evolved into something far more personal. After returning to his hometown for work, he found himself drawn back to Vietnam by a powerful sense of connection and a growing ambition to serve as a cultural bridge between his homeland and Southeast Asia.

In 2017, the young man returned to Ha Noi with strong determination to transform that vision into action.

For the being, Saleem “wears many hats”: bilingual MC, model, and media analyst for the Embassy of Qatar.

In 2019, he was appointed Ha Noi’s Friendship Ambassador for Peace, recognition of his efforts to step up intercultural dialogue and promote mutual understanding.

His work aligns with a defining phase in Vietnam’s global outreach, as the country strengthens economic partnerships with the Arab world.

Language has been Saleem’s most powerful tool. Fluent in Vietnamese, Arabic and English, he has actively introduced Vietnam’s distinctive culture, history and business potential to Arab audiences in tandem with helping Vietnamese partners better understand the Middle East.

One of his most visible initiatives is culinary. Saleem opened a Palestinian restaurant at 7 Hang Buom Street in Ha Noi’s Old Quarter, bringing authentic Middle Eastern flavours to Vietnamese diners.
At the same time, he is developing plans for a Vietnamese restaurant that meets Halal standards, ensuring Muslim visitors can fully enjoy iconic dishes such as pho and fried spring rolls without religious concerns.

In addition, Saleem has paid attention to digital storytelling. Through bilingual English-Vietnamese videos documenting his trips across Vietnam, Saleem shares the country’s landscapes, traditions and everyday life with international audiences.

The accessible format allows viewers from multiple regions to connect with Vietnam beyond headlines and statistics.

Through cuisine and media, Saleem is working to dissolve cultural barriers, inviting the international community to experience a Vietnam that is peaceful, dynamic and rich in identity.

Outstandingly, he has dedicated three to five hours daily for over a year to translating major Vietnamese works on history and diplomacy into Arabic.

These projects aim to bring Vietnam’s intellectual narratives closer to Arab readers, fostering deeper academic and strategic understanding.

Saleem has guided numerous cooperatives and businesses in developing Halal-certified products, aiming to create a powerful springboard for Vietnamese agricultural goods, not only to expand into global markets, but to secure premium positions on international shelves.