Vietnam Day in South Africa is impressive with a series of meaningful promotional activities

This September 14-15 in the capital Pretoria, South Africa, the Vietnam Day in South Africa 2023 program - one of the important activities organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was officially opened to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-South Africa diplomatic relations (December 22, 1993 - December 22, 2023).

This is the first time Vietnam Day Abroad is held in Africa, and is also the opening event for the Vietnam Day Abroad 2023 program series.

Ngày Việt Nam ở nước ngoài lần đầu tiên ở Nam Phi với chuỗi hoạt động quảng bá ý nghĩa

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and delegates inaugurated the Vietnamese Cultural Space in South Africa.

Taking place on September 14-15, the program is of great significance, contributing to tightening the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa, bringing about increased efficiency, especially when South Africa is a country with an important position in the region, playing a leading role in multilateral cooperation mechanisms of the continent and the world.

Through the program, unique and distinctive cultural features of Vietnam were introduced to the South African public, thereby enhancing understanding and creating more opportunities for comprehensive and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa.

Vietnam Day in South Africa 2023 was honored to have the participation of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on the occasion of her official visit to South Africa, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pham Thanh Ha, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Head of the Central External Relations Commission Truong Quang Hoai Nam, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc.

In addition, the program was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Sy Cuong, representatives of leaders of several units under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and officials of the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa...

Vietnam Day in South Africa 2023 also has the presence of politicians, businesses and people in South Africa such as South African Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes, South African Ambassador to Vietnam Vyiswa Tulelo.

At the event, the public learned about the 30-year journey of diplomatic relations and comprehensive friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa.

The Vietnam Day in South Africa 2023 program includes three main activities: Vietnamese Cultural Space, Vietnam-South Africa Economic Cooperation Seminar and the 78th Anniversary of Vietnam's National Day and the 30th Anniversary of Vietnam-South Africa Diplomatic Relations at the CSIR Conference Center.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, South African Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan and Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Sy Cuong cut the ribbon at the Vietnam Cultural Space, officially opening a series of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-South Africa diplomatic relations and the 78th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day.

The Vietnamese Cultural Space offers the public in South Africa the opportunity to learn about the 30-year journey of diplomatic relations, comprehensive friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa, and the beauty and vitality of the Vietnamese people through a photo exhibition on milestones in the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries, an exhibition on Vietnam's UNESCO-recognized world heritages, and photos of beautiful landscapes and simple, authentic yet vibrant and youthful life in the daily lives of the Vietnamese people.

Introducing Dong Ho paintings to international friends.

At the same time, the public will be able to experience unique Vietnamese art forms such as: Dong Ho folk painting, lacquer painting performance, clay figurine making, exhibitions and trying on ancient costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty...

Being introduced to and experiencing these unique cultural activities for the first time, many people in South Africa, especially young people, were excited to receive them.

Ngày Việt Nam ở Nam Phi ấn tượng với chuỗi hoạt động quảng bá ý nghĩa

South African people enjoy making To He figurines with artisan Dang Dinh Thuong.

Meanwhile, at the 78th Anniversary of Vietnam's National Day and the 30th Anniversary of Vietnam-South Africa diplomatic relations, guests enjoyed art performances imbued with traditional Vietnamese culture such as lotus dances, flute solos and folk dances, and African-inspired ensemble performances by Vietnamese and South African artists.

Artisan Tran Anh Tuan guides South African audiences in making lacquer handicrafts.

At the Vietnam-South Africa Economic Cooperation Seminar, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc and South African Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Nomalungelo Gina spoke and directed activities with the participation of more than 100 delegates representing businesses of the two countries.

The seminar opened up opportunities for connection, cooperation, and signing of agreements for businesses of both sides in the fields of trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, etc., contributing to further promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa in the coming time.

Overview of the Vietnam - South Africa Economic Cooperation Seminar.

Representing the Organizing Committee, Mr. Hoang Huu Anh, Deputy Director, Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared:

“As the first time being held in an African country, the Vietnam Day Program in South Africa in 2023 is truly meaningful as this is an area where we rarely have the opportunity to organize large cultural events.

Vietnam and South Africa have always cooperated and supported each other in the past struggle for freedom, independence and national liberation as well as in cooperation for peace, stability, prosperity and development today.

Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its partners have made great efforts to introduce unique and distinctive aspects of Vietnamese culture and long-standing traditions to the South African public.

At the same time, through the program, we also hope to introduce to South Africa the image of Vietnam as a stable, peaceful, and developing country, an attractive destination for investors, contributing to opening up opportunities for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries."

Visitors try on ancient Nguyen Dynasty costumes at the Vietnam Cultural Space.

Vietnam Day Abroad is an annual national promotion program assigned by the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize since 2010.

The program often takes place during official visits of Vietnamese senior leaders to partner countries and receives widespread participation and response from localities, businesses, agencies, organizations, international friends and the Vietnamese community abroad.

Following Vietnam Day in South Africa 2023, Vietnam Day in France and Vietnam Day in Japan 2023 are expected to be held in November 2023 to celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and these two countries.

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