Art Activities Mark August Revolution and National Day Abroad

Art activities are part of diplomatic and cultural activities held by the Vietnam’s embassies in celebration of the anniversary of the diplomatic ties and 77th anniversary of National Day of Vietnam.

Many Japanese and international officials attend the ceremony. Source: VOV

The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan held a concert in Tokyo on September 2 evening to mark the 77th anniversary of National Day of Vietnam, VOV reported.

In his speech, Ambassador Vu Hong Nam reviewed some outstanding achievements Vietnamese people have recorded in building and developing the nation over the past 77 years.

“From being one of the least developed countries in the world, Vietnam has become a middle-income developing country and has been recognized by the United Nations as one of the leading countries in implementing the Millennium Development Goals,” stressed Nam.

He went on to say that Vietnam has maintained political stability and expand foreign relations, creating favourable conditions for the economy to develop and integrate into the world.

According to the Ambassador, Vietnam has so far established diplomatic relations with nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide, including strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with 30 countries. Besides, it has also entered into economic partnerships with more than 230 countries and territories, and signed 15 free trade agreements (FTAs), including new generation FTAs such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Ambassador Vu Hong Nam speaks at the event. Source: VOV

On the other hand, Vietnam is also an active member of more than 70 important multilateral organizations and forums, including the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Ambassador Vu Hong Nam emphasized that over the past 49 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Vietnam – Japan relations have developed substantially. In 2014, the two countries lifted their relationship to the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.

As the two countries will celebrate five decades of their diplomacy in 2023, the Ambassador expressed his belief that the Vietnam – Japan relations will “continue to develop strongly, firmly and substantively in the coming time”.

For their parts, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komei Party extended congratulations to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam on National Day. They highly appreciated Vietnam’s development over the years, which they said is of great significance for peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the wider world.

They said that the Japan – Vietnam relations have flourished in many fields, especially cooperation in national defense, security, economy, cultural exchanges and people-to-people diplomacy. The extensive strategic partnership between Japan and Vietnam is highly valued and promoted by the leaders of the two countries.

After the opening ceremony, participating guests enjoyed a special concert staged by the Tokyo Sinfonia Symphony Orchestra, introducing world masterpieces.

In related news, “Princess Anio” – a joint opera performance between Japan and Vietnam will be held at Hanoi Opera House in September 2023 to mark the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam – Japan diplomatic relations in 2023, and promote the friendship and culture exchange between the two countries, VNA reported.

The opera is based on a real story of the love of Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro and Princess Ngoc Hoa [called Princess Anio by Japanese] in Hoi An, Vietnam, during the trading era of the Shuinsen in the early 17th century.

The project will bring together famous opera directors, musicians and singers from both nations.

Swedish and international guests like paintings by the well established Vietnamese-Swedish artist Van Duong Thanh. Source: baoquocte.vn

On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sweden celebrated the National Day of Vietnam in Stockholm with an exhibition of paintings by the well established Vietnamese-Swedish artist Van Duong Thanh.

Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Dang Duong opened the ceremory which hosted over 150 guests, from Swedish Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Robert Rydberg, ambassadors, representatives of the UK, the US, Russia, Mongolia, China among many others.

Ambassador Duong briefed participants on Vietnam’s recent achievements, saying the country has brought the Covid-19 pandemic under control and put its economy back on track. It secured GDP growth of 6.4% in the first half of the year and is expected to expand by 7.8% by the end of the year – the fastest since 1998.

The economy, which is strongly recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic fetched US$431.94 billion in trade value in the first seven months, up 14.8% year on year, and attracted US$11.57 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). Since the reopening of its borders in mid-March 2022, Vietnam has also welcomed nearly 1.5 million international visitors.

With all the efforts over the years, Vietnam has been recognized by world friends as an open and dynamic economy, a reliable friend and partner, said the diplomat.

Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Dang Duong speak at the celebration. Source: baoquocte.vn

Speaking at the celebration, Swedish Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Rydberg congratulated the National Day of Vietnam; emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries has a long history of development since Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1969; congratulated the achievements Vietnam has achieved in the past 77 years, especially impressive about the speed of Vietnam’s economic recovery in the first six months of 2022.

The Deputy Minister expressed his delight at the development of the good traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries in all fields of politics, economy, culture, education, humanitarian. It is certain that the relationship between the two countries will be increasingly expanded and developed in the coming time.

Artist Van Duong Thanh and Swedish Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Rydberg. Photo courtesy of the artist

The exhibition themed “Vision in Harmony Vietnam-Sweden”, introduced to Swedish and international friends about Vietnamese and Swedish culture and people.

In particular, traditional Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls, pho, steamed rice rolls with Vietnamese pork sausage, mooncakes, made a good impression and cozy atmosphere with Swedish guests and friends participating in the event. this.

Born in wartime and lost their parents early, painter Van Duong Thanh has overcome extraordinary difficulties to become one of the Vietnamese artists with many works displayed at global museums.

Van Duong Thanh’s paintings are shown in 16 national museums across the world. She has also been holding 90 exhibitions in Vietnam and abroad. Many international friends have been visiting Vietnam after seeing her paintings.

Music performance by Vietnamese art troupe in Ulaanbaatar. Source: baoquocte.vn

Ao dai dance performance by students of High School No. 14 named after President Ho Chi Minh. Source: baoquocte.vn

During the celebration of Vietnam’s National Day in the capital Ulaanbaatar organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Mongolia on September 1, Mongolian and international guests enjoyed a special art program imbued with Vietnamese national identity performed by musicians from Vietnam.

In addition, guests have the opportutinities to hear the song titled “Moi ban den tham chon nay, Viet Nam luon don chao” (Come to this place, Vietnam always welcomes you), by Ariunbold Dashdor from Mongolia, which has won the special prize in the song-composing contest with the theme of “Hat len Vietnam- Let’s sing Vietnam” recently organized by the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

In 2017, Ariunbold had the opportunity to come to Vietnam, meet Vietnamese people, see the beautiful nature of Vietnam, discover Vietnamese culture. That trip left memories for him to write this song.

The song was perfomed by the group of authors, singers and the “Khusugtun” ethnic ballad band of Mongolia.