Vietnamese images promoted via cultural diplomacy in Malaysia

Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh made the statement in a recent media exchange held regarding the role of cultural diplomacy in Malaysia.

Cultural diplomacy is one of the three pillars of the country’s comprehensive diplomacy during the integration period. Indeed, cultural diplomacy is an important tool of foreign policy in general and diplomacy in particular in terms of promoting international links between peoples, he said

This year marks the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the nation and Malaysia which began back in 1973. As such, the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia has enhanced its cultural diplomacy by co-ordinating with associations and localities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Nam Dinh to launch a string of activities which have helped to promote images of Vietnam as a dynamic, modern country with cultural identities.

In a broad array of celebration events, the Embassy selected Vietnamese unique cultural areas that are known and appreciated by Malaysians, for example, culinary introduction programmes, especially Nam Dinh Pho (noodle) which meets Halal standards and suits Malaysian tastes. This is along with traditional and modern music and dance performances, as well as “ao dai” shows.

“Cultural diplomacy is an effective measure in elevating Vietnamese cultural values, promoting the national image, thereby expanding Vietnam's soft power,” the Ambassador said.

Cultural diplomacy creates a premise to boost trade and economic development, whist in return economic and trade are important resources in which to strongly deploy cultural diplomacy abroad, he  continued.

The Vietnamese side can promote cultural diplomacy effectively in Malaysia because of the similarity in development levels between the two countries, the cultural diversity of Malaysia, and the 30,000-strong Vietnamese community there, the Vietnamese diplomat added.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Embassy in Vietnam also held a wide range of meaningful activities in Hanoi, including a friendly match between the two countries' football teams.

With regard to the Embassy’s plan to implement the results of the 32nd National Diplomatic Conference, Ambassador Linh said that the Embassy will step up efforts to continue promoting "bright spots" in the two countries' relations, including economic, trade, and investment collaboration. It will also look for new co-operation fields that are consistent with development trends in the world and region in which both sides have potential and common interests.

He also highlighted the huge potential for broader ties between the two countries, especially in areas such as food security, energy security, digital economy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, marine economic development, and renewable energy.

The Embassy and relevant representative agencies will therefore closely follow the agreements signed between the two countries, especially the action programme to implement their strategic partnership for the 2021 to 2025 period.

In the first half of 2024, one of the Embassy's priorities is to organise high-level visits of Party and State leaders to Malaysia. The exchange of high-level delegations will therefore serve as the driving force for strengthening strategic trust and deepening comprehensive linkages between the two nations towards the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership ahead in 2025.