Vietnam-RoK cultural exchange marks 30-year diplomacy

The event was co-hosted by the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese and the Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Center in the RoK under the auspices of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs.

In his opening speech, Nguyen Phu Binh, chairman of the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese, highlighted the role of Vietnamese Buddhist nun Thich Nu Gioi Tanh, head of the Vietnamese Buddhists’ Association, in strengthening connectivity with communities in both nations. Indeed, she greatly contributed to assisting people who endured difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Binh went on to underscore the importance of Vietnamese language among members of the overseas Vietnamese community, which has served to connect overseas Vietnamese (OVs), and to tighten friendship and co-operation with countries from around the world.

Sharing this perspective, Mai Phan Dung, vice chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs, highlighted the Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese and the Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Center for their initiative to organise the event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of both nations' diplomatic relations.

He emphasised that Vietnamese language and culture have actively contributed to building a multicultural Korean society, thereby serving as a bridge connecting the two peoples.

Korean culture has built a great presence in Vietnam and it provides a solid foundation to promote all-round co-operation between the two countries, he added. 

During the event, a wide range of activities were held, including cultural exchanges, seminars on the Vietnam-RoK Culture, and the screening of documentaries in response to the Day of honoring the Vietnamese language in the OV community, along with fashion shows to popularise traditional Vietnamese long dress (Ao Dai) and traditional Korean costumes.