Strengthening Cultural Ties Between Vietnam and the Netherlands

At the event. Source: TG&VN

The Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands, Pham Viet Anh, chaired a meeting of the Asian-Australian Ambassadors to the Netherlands on Friday. During the meeting, the diplomats discussed measures to strengthen cultural connections between the nations, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Dewi van de Weerd, Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation at the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, briefed participants on the country’s international cultural policies. She provided an in-depth overview of the strategies and initiatives being implemented by the Dutch government to support and promote cultural exchange and collaboration across international boundaries. Van de Weerd also discussed the importance of cultural understanding and collaboration for strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering peace and stability on a global level.

The Netherlands aims to not only promote its culture abroad but also support artists and creative workers to operate in other countries to make the Dutch culture stronger, she said.

She underscored the areas of priority in the Netherlands’ international culture policy, emphasizing that cultural legacy is a critical element in connecting cultures, especially the ties between Vietnam and the Netherlands, and between Asian and European nations more broadly.

Like the Netherlands, a number of Asian countries – particularly those in Southeast Asia – have constructed roads strictly for bicycles. This is a testament to the cultural interconnectedness between the countries, according to her.

At the meeting, the ambassador also exchanged invaluable experience in preserving and safeguarding the historical and cultural values of ancient villages located on the outskirts. These villages are home to a plethora of ancient architectural works, traditional practices, and cultural traditions that make the Netherlands an attractive tourist destination.

In a chat with VNA correspondents in Europe, Ambassador Anh highlighted the significance of cultural resources for all countries in the current period, underlining that leveraging them can generate impressive soft power.

The Netherlands is an exemplary nation when it comes to showcasing its cultural strengths and forging cultural diplomacy alongside its open external policy. This has enabled the country to maintain an open economy and reap the rewards of its success. This has been a great advantage to the nation, as highlighted by many.

Ambassador Pham Viet Anh, the Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), attended the fifth review conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in The Hague from May 15 to 19.

On behalf of Vietnam, Ambassador Anh delivered a powerful message to future generations at Centre ChemTech, emphasizing the need for more concerted efforts to create a world free of chemical weapons.