Journey to promote Vietnamese culture in the Middle East

(To Quoc) - Riyadh - the capital of Saudi Arabia, will become the next stop of the program "Vietnam Day Abroad 2024" taking place from December 13-15. This is a special opportunity for Vietnamese culture to spread widely in the Middle East region, with the meaningful theme: "Convergence of the quintessence of a thousand years of culture - Growing up in the era of wealth and prosperity".

Vibrant cultural space

The program promises to bring a cultural space imbued with Vietnamese identity, harmoniously combining traditional heritage and modern nuances.

The photo exhibition celebrating 25 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia will review important milestones in the friendly relationship between the two countries, while introducing the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the S-shaped country.

“Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024” will take place from December 13-15 in the capital Riyadh.

Traditional art activities such as Dong Ho painting performances, figurine making, and the exhibition "Lacquer - Spreading traditional colors" will create a unique perspective on cultural exchange.

In particular, lacquer works created by artist Tran Anh Tuan and a group of international students will portray the Vietnamese spirit in the global creative flow.

Music and cuisine – Unforgettable highlights

The audience will enjoy special performances of traditional musical instruments, from the melodious pipa, the resonant erhu, tam thap luc, to the deep bamboo flute melody. The reenactment of the To Nu painting, combining musical instrument performance and stage art, promises to bring emotional moments.

Cuisine is also the focus with Vietnamese dishes adapted to meet Halal standards. Culinary expert Nguyen Thuong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Chefs Vocational Training and Employment Association (VICA), will help diners discover and enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared to meet Islamic culinary standards.

The spring roll dish, which is harmonious in ingredients, texture and flavor, is one of the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine introduced in "Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024".

"According to Halal culinary standards, people do not eat pork, so we replace it with chicken and beef in our dishes. Besides, Arabs love rich cuisine, so we pay special attention to combining familiar Arab spices. We hope to bring Vietnamese cuisine closer to the people of Saudi Arabia, not only through flavor but also through the story behind each dish" - Culinary expert Nguyen Thuong Quan shared.

The unique pho with red wine sauce brought to this event was specially prepared to show the fusion with the cuisine of the Islamic country. With ingredients combining star anise, cardamom and cinnamon, spices familiar to the Arabs, the pho with red wine sauce is expected to bring a new and familiar flavor to the public.

Promoting Vietnam's image in national strategy

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) emphasized that this event is a strategic step to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia - a potential partner in the Middle East.

Through profound cultural values, Vietnam not only expands cooperation but also contributes to building the image of a dynamic, rich-in-identity and world-class country.

"Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024" was held at Cultural Palace, Riyadh.

"Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024" is not only a cultural event, but also a bridge to bring Vietnam closer to international friends./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/ngay-viet-nam-tai-a-rap-xe-ut-2024-hanh-trinh-quang-ba-van-hoa-viet-tai-trung-dong-20241211155539535.htm