Promoting Collaboration and Cultural Exchange between Vietnam and Canada

During their time in Toronto, the delegation engaged in various activities to learn and connect with partners regarding educational exchange, business connections, and arts performances in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada. They also had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call and attend a reception hosted by the Mayor of Markham City.

The delegation from the Vietnam – Canada Friendship Association meets with the Mayor of Markham City, Toronto.

From November 22 to 23, the delegation, arranged by the Canada – Vietnam Friendship Association, visited and collaborated with Upper York Secondary School, York University, and the University of Niagara Falls in Toronto. During these visits, the schools and universities introduced their training programs, discussed the needs for international students, scholarship opportunities, part-time jobs, and the potential employability of international students upon graduation.

Nguyen Nang Khieu provided information about the activities of the Vietnam – Canada Friendship Association, particularly the connection with universities and high schools in Canada to establish a people-to-people exchange channel through educational cooperation. This includes exchange delegations and inviting Canadian students to Vietnam for experiential activities such as homestays.

Nguyen Nang Khieu also extended invitations to the school and university representatives to attend international discussions and seminars on cultural and educational exchange organized by the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association in the near future.

The General Secretary of the Vietnam – Canada Friendship Association, Nguyen Nang Khieu (left), works at York University, Toronto.

On November 23, in Markham, the Vietnam – Canada Friendship Association delegation collaborated with the Canada – Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFS), Canada – Vietnam Business Council, and Markham Business Association to organize the Vietnam – Canada Business Forum. Over 20 Canadian enterprises from Markham, Toronto, and 7 Vietnamese businesses attended the forum, where they exchanged ideas to understand each other’s potential, strengths, needs, and opportunities for cooperation.

During the event, Amanda Young Colluci, Markham MP, read a message from the Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpiti, welcoming the delegation and congratulating the forum.

Vietnam – Canada Business Forum in Markham, Canada.

During his speech at the forum, Nguyen Nang Khieu reviewed the Vietnam – Canada relations over the past 50 years, particularly since the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership in 2017. He highlighted various areas of cooperation, including politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development cooperation, defense-security, culture-education, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

He emphasized the importance of discussions between businesses to overcome barriers and promote economic, trade, and investment relations between both countries, as well as between Markham, Toronto, and Vietnamese localities.

Following the forum, the delegation hosted an art program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada. Officials from Markham, businesses, and over 300 overseas Vietnamese in Toronto enjoyed traditional performances such as Cheo, Quan Ho Bac Ninh, and Chau Van, choreographed and performed by artists from the UNESCO Folk Art Troupe.

During the business trip, the Vietnam – Canada Friendship Association delegation had a working session with the leaders of the Canada – Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFS) to discuss the direction of people-to-people exchange cooperation between the two Associations in 2024 and the years to come. The delegation also attended a reception hosted by the leaders of Markham, met with the Hai Phong Association in Toronto, visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa at Vietnam House, and participated in cultural events at the Canadian Parliament, among other activities.