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| Visitors join Mua sap (a traditional dance of Vietnam). Source: Vietnamese Association in the RoK’s Gwangju-jeonnam region |
On May 21, the 2023 Vietnam Day was held in Gwangju, Republic of Korea (RoK), with the aim of introducing the traditional and unique culture of Vietnam to international friends and fostering cultural exchange between the two countries, according to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
Nguyen Viet Phong, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in South Korea’s Gwangju-Jeollanamdo region, stated that the event provides an excellent chance for the Vietnamese community to come together and strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance.
Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju city, expressed his hope that the people-to-people diplomacy and locality-to-locality exchange between the RoK and Vietnam will be further strengthened through the 2023 Vietnam Day.
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| Delegates pose for a group photo. Source: Vietnamese Association in the RoK’s Gwangju-jeonnam region |
Yu Min-bong, the General Secretary of the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea (GAROK), recently expressed his excitement about the opportunity that this presents for the Korean people to engage with Vietnamese culture and access the products of Vietnamese enterprises.
Addressing the event, Nguyen Vu Tung, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (RoK), expressed his commitment to supporting the Gwangju city administration, GAROK, and the Vietnamese Association in Gwangju in carrying out meaningful activities that would help reinforce local collaboration and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, as well as aiding Nghe An province and Gwangju city in their future joint endeavors.
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| Delegates of Nghe An province visit the festival. Source: Vietnamese Association in the RoK’s Gwangju-jeonnam region |
Nguyen Nam Dinh, Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Council of Nghe An province, declared that the Vietnam Day program in Gwangju on the occasion of Gwangju Citizens Day is a vivid representation of the cooperation and cultural exchange between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), Nghe An province and Gwangju city. This is a great opportunity to showcase the traditional culture of Nghe An to the people of Gwangju, especially the Nghe Tinh’s Vi-Giam singing, which was recognized and honored by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
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| Vietnamese traditional costumes showcased at The 2023 Vietnam Day in Gwangju city. Source: Vietnamese Association in the RoK’s Gwangju-jeonnam region |
Visitors were treated to a variety of traditional art performances, mesmerizing costume shows, and unique cuisine. Furthermore, they also got to experience and take part in the traditional folk games of Vietnam.
Within the framework of the 2023 Vietnam Day, visitors were treated to a delightful display of traditional folk art performances by Nghe An province’s renowned arts troupe, as well as vibrant music performances by acclaimed singer Han Sara. Both performances provided an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to appreciate the cultural heritage of the region.
In addition, traditional costume shows, which are imbued with a sense of national identity, have attracted the attention of many participants. Visitors can also experience the unique cuisine of the three regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam – including pho, noodle soup, spring rolls, cake, sugarcane juice, and fresh coconut juice – as well as traditional games such as making bamboo dragonflies, traditional houses, and lotus lights.
The annual festivals that are held in the Republic of Korea (RoK) provide a great opportunity for both international students and Vietnamese nationals to come together and celebrate their unique and beautiful traditional culture. Such festivals are essential for the promotion of cultural exchange and the strengthening of the friendly relationship between the two countries. They are also a perfect platform for people to meet up and share their love for culture.
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| Food stalls attract many people. Source: Vietnamese Association in the RoK’s Gwangju-jeonnam region |
Earlier this May, a vibrant Vietnam-Korea culture exchange programme was held in Uijeongbu city of Gyeonggi province, bringing together throngs of overseas Vietnamese living, studying, and working in the Republic of Korea (RoK).
The Vietnam Women’s Association (VWA) in the Republic of Korea (RoK) hosted an event with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in the country.
Currently, there are approximately 80,000 Vietnamese women living in the Republic of Korea (RoK). These women are making significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the country and are becoming a diplomatic link between the two nations.
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