Kim Thúy

Speaker and author

Meet Kim Thúy

Kim Thúy, speaker left Vietnam with the boat people at the age of ten and settled with her family in Quebec. With degrees in translation and law, the writer has worked as a seamstress, interpreter, lawyer and restaurant owner. Kim Thúy has received several awards, including the 2010 Governor General’s Literary Award, and was one of four finalists for the Nobel Alternatif in 2018. In 2023, she was named Chevalière de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République Française. Her books, which have sold over 850,000 copies worldwide, have been translated into 31 languages and 43 countries and territories. Kim Thúy lives in Montreal and devotes all her time to writing.

Speaking topics of Kim Thúy:

Motivation, Success, and Self-Improvement | Diversity | Creativity

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Testimonials

La présence de Mme Thúy a été un véritable cadeau pour notre événement. Sa capacité à créer un lien aussi authentique que touchant avec le public, sa générosité, ses profondes valeurs humaines et son humour lumineux ont marqué les esprits et les cœurs. Les retours que nous avons reçus sont unanimes : elle a été l’un des moments forts de la journée. C’est avec grand enthousiasme que nous espérons pouvoir l’accueillir à nouveau dans une prochaine édition!

Sommet Leadership Québec

Nous avons ADORÉ Kim ! Elle est pétillante, authentique et tellement généreuse.

Coordonnatrice aux événements

Chambre de commerce et d’industrie du Grand Lévis

Les mots me manquent pour vous dire à quel point la présence de madame Thúy a été appréciée ! Elle a su toucher chacun des participants, tant par ses propos, que par son humanité si tangible. Nous avons beaucoup appris, nous avons beaucoup ri et nous avons été émus aux larmes… quoi demander de plus!

Conférence des préfêts de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Keynotes

environ 60 minutes
Français et Anglais
Rencontre de personnalisation incluse
Offert en présentiel et virtuel

Kim Thúy inspires through her unique journey combining resilience, creativity, and openness to diversity. In her talks, she shares human and authentic reflections that motivate audiences to achieve self-improvement and see the world from a new perspective.

Discover her presentation and allow yourself to be inspired to transform your ideas into action.

Meeting with Kim Thúy

Kim Thúy weaves narratives infused with sensitivity, humor, and humanity. Through her unique journey—spanning exile, resilience, and rebirth—she offers profound reflections that leave an unforgettable mark.

Every presentation is custom-designed, resonating with your specific context and needs.

Technical requirements for Kim Thúy:

Micro-casque

Petite table (pour déposer notes et bouteille d'eau), Lutrin

Aucune présentation

About Kim Thúy

First name: Kim Thúy | Last name: Ly Thanh | born in Saigon, Vietnam

Kim Thuy, speaker, left Vietnam with the boat people at the age of ten and settled with her family in Quebec. With degrees in translation and law, the writer has worked as a seamstress, interpreter, lawyer and restaurant owner. Kim Thúy has received several awards, including the 2010 Governor General’s Literary Award, and was one of four finalists for the 2018 Nobel Alternative Prize. Her books have sold over 850,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into 29 languages and 40 countries and territories. Kim Thúy lives in Montreal and devotes her time to writing.

Nov. 1978 – March 1979 Kuantan Refugee Camp, Malaysia
27 March 1979 Arrival in Granby, Quebec
1990 Bachelor’s degree in translation – University of Montreal
1993 Bachelor of Law – University of Montreal
1995 Quebec Bar
1992 – 1998 Lawyer – Stikeman, Elliott / Assignment in Hanoi
1998 – 1999 Consular Officer – Canadian Consulate in Saigon
2002 – 2007 Entrepreneur/Restorer – Ru de Nam

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

2023 Chevalière de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République Française
2023 Nominated for the 2023 International Dublin Literary Award (Em book)
2019 Honorary Doctorate from Bishop’s University for extensive civic and community involvement
2019 Compagne des arts et des lettres du Québec, Government of Quebec
2018 Women of Distinction Award from the Women’s Y Foundation of Montreal
2017 Medal of Honour from the National Assembly of Quebec
2017 Honorary Doctorate from Concordia University for lending an eloquent voice to the refugee experience
2016 Spokesperson for the Petit Robert between 2016 and 2018, Kim Thúy enters the 2018 edition of the Robert illustré
2015 Knight of the National Order of Quebec, Government of Quebec
2013 Paul-Gérin-Lajoie Tolerance Award, presented in 2013 by the organization Ensemble pour le respect de la diversité

Awards and Honors

2023 – Chevalier (Knight) of the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic (Chevalière de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République Française)
2023 – Nominated for the 2023 International Dublin Literary Award (for the book Em)
2019 – Honorary Doctorate from Bishop’s University for her significant civic and community involvement
2019 – Compagne des arts et des lettres du Québec (Companion of the Arts and Letters of Quebec), Government of Quebec
2018 – Prix Femmes de mérite (Women of Merit Award) from the Montreal YWCA Foundation (Fondation Y des femmes de Montréal)
2017 – Medal of Honor of the National Assembly of Quebec (Médaille d’honneur de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec)
2017 – Honorary Doctorate from Concordia University for lending her eloquent voice to the refugee experience
2016 – Spokesperson for Le Petit Robert between 2016 and 2018; Kim Thúy is included in the 2018 edition of the Robert illustré (Illustrated Robert Dictionary)
2015 – Chevalier (Knight) of the National Order of Quebec (Chevalière de l’Ordre national du Québec), Government of Quebec
2013 – Paul Gérin-Lajoie Tolerance Prize, awarded in 2013 by the organization Ensemble pour le respect de la diversité (Together for the Respect of Diversity)

Clips and Interviews with Kim Thúy

Entrevue avec Kim Thúy:

Regarder en arrière pour continuer d’avancer (Janvier 2025)

Kim Thuy X TEDx Pôle Maisonneuve

Video Excerpt of Kim Thúy’s Keynote

presented in November 2022

COMMENT ÇA VA

Discussion avec Kim Thúy au temps du COVID-19

PepTalk sur la route avec Kim Thúy (#1)

(juin 2016)

PepTalk sur la route avec Kim Thúy (#2)

(juin 2016)

Where to watch, listen, and read Kim Thúy?

Kim Thúy est auteure de renom, célébrée pour ses romans qui explorent l’identité, l’exil et la résilience, dont Ru, Man et Vi. Elle anime également La table de Kim sur ICI ARTV, où artistes, scientifiques et entrepreneurs créatifs se réunissent autour d’un thé pour discuter d’amour, de rire, d’avenir et de la vie. Découvrez ses livres et émissions pour plonger dans ses récits sensibles et inspirants.

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