Cultural diplomacy brings Vietnam closer to the world
The Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO (UNESCO Vietnam) will organise more cultural activities this year to further heighten Vietnam’s position in the world arena.
The Commission’s plan will get a lending hand from the Department of Culture, External Relations and UNESCO of the Foreign Ministry.
UNESCO Vietnam General Secretary Pham Cao Phong said 2013 will be a milestone year to promote Vietnam’s images to the world through a series of Vietnam Week events in Italy, Canada and Japan.
Among them are activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to be held in the northern province of Quang Ninh.
He stressed the need to pay more attention to raising public awareness of cultural diplomacy as a foundation for developing Vietnam’s ties with other nations.
Reviewing the sector’s achievements in 2012, Phong mentioned a broad range of activities, including the inauguration of statues of late President Ho Chi Minh in Argentina, Laos and Thailand, and the organisation of friendship year marking Vietnam’s diplomatic relations with Laos, Cambodia and the Republic of Korea.
Last year, Vietnam gained UNESCO’s recognition for its two more heritage examples, including Buddhist Sutras-printed woodblocks kept in Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in the northern province of Bac Giang and the worship rituals dedicated to Hung Kings in the central midland province of Phu Tho.