Mr Hung: The Vietnamese community in Italy is small in number but they live harmoniously and closely with each other. They work hard to improve their lives. The second generation born in Italy can speak and understand Vietnamese, though it is a little bit difficult for them. They are encouraged to contact things relating to Vietnam.

In fact, every Italian knows about Vietnam, particularly those born in the 1960s when Vietnam was at war.

Talking about Vietnam gives them special emotions. For example, when our tourist company Evviva displayed photos about Vietnam at a tourism festival in Italy, many Italian people said that the photos reminded them of their childhood. They even asked us “Is Vietnam safe now?”, “How is tourism developing?”. This means that they do not have right information about Vietnam. Our task now is to help them build the image of a developing Vietnam.

VOV: From what you said, many Italian people keep in their minds an image of a Vietnam at war. What have we done to improve their view of our country? Is that one of the reasons you organise the Vietnam Cultural Days in Rome?

Mr Hung: Things have changed thanks to the great strides from the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, as well as the Italian Embassy in Vietnam. Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture and Information and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam have held a large number of seminars, photo and painting exhibitions, and film festivals. However, the results are limited. Therefore, the invitation from Rome authorities to Vietnam to take part in their annual festival demonstrates Rome’s great care about Vietnam. Even our coming events will be fully funded by Rome.

VOV: The Spring Festival in Rome is a domestic event. Why do the Rome authorities give special treatment to Vietnam at the festival?

Mr Hung: It is true that the Spring Festival in Rome is only for Rome people and organisations in Rome. It is not really for foreigners. But Rome authorities have invited Vietnam to take part in the festival.

The special treatment is attributed to the great love for Vietnam by the city in general and Rome Mayor Enrico Gasbarra in particular. This also thanks to lobbying by journalist Corrado Ruggeri. Not only a journalist, Corrado Ruggeri is also a writer with special feelings for Asia, particularly Vietnam.

It is also worth mentioning the contributions of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam. The idea of the festival came a year ago and we are now realising it. The University of Fine Arts has helped us a lot to select Vietnamese contemporary paintings, which is the main topic of the festival. In addition, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam, Alfredo Matacotta Cordella will also take part in the festival by sending his photos about Vietnam’s land and people.

VOV: Having lived and worked for many years in Italy, what is your assessment of the Vietnamese Cultural Days in Rome?

Mr Hung: Until now, trade and investment relations between the two countries remain modest. We place high hopes on the festival generating more interest from Italian people about Vietnam, not only in terms of culture and arts, but also in economics, trade, and tourism. Therefore, during the Spring Festival in Rome, Vietnam will hold workshops on tourism and economic co-operation. We want to provide participants information about the favourable conditions the Vietnamese Government offers foreign investors, particularly the Investment Law, which will come into effect from July 1.

VOV: Thank you very much.