“Quang Ninh has many advantages and potential to develop medical tourism”

The 10th International Yoga Day 2024 has just taken place at Phuong Dong Urban Area (Van Don) with the participation of nearly 1,000 people, including trainers, athletes of Yoga Clubs and Yoga lovers and practitioners in and outside the province. Attending the event held in Quang Ninh for the second time, Mr. Sandeep Arya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Vietnam , had an interview with reporters of the Quang Ninh Provincial Media Center.

Mr. Sandeep Arya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Vietnam.

- Dear Ambassador Sandeep Arya, what is your assessment of the 10th International Yoga Day event held in Quang Ninh this time?

+ This year marks the 10th anniversary of the International Yoga Day, a decade since the United Nations declared June 21 as Yoga Day by consensus and Vietnam supported the initiative as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner of India. I would like to express my special thanks to the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, the Vietnam Yoga Federation and the numerous people and Yoga lovers who helped make the event vibrant and create a strong spread of the value of this special sport. This year's International Yoga Day was held in nearly 40 provinces and cities of Vietnam with the participation of tens of thousands of people. And over the years, Quang Ninh has become a familiar destination for a series of Yoga events with its advantages in infrastructure, natural landscape and culture. As in previous years, at this year's International Yoga Day, I could see the strong commitment of Quang Ninh province to spreading the values ​​of Yoga, considering Yoga as one of the ways to improve the quality of life of the people. In 2023, for the first time attending the International Yoga Day held at Quynh Lam Pagoda (Dong Trieu Town), I was extremely impressed by the unique Buddhist cultural spirit. This time coming to Van Don, the beautiful natural scenery of Bai Tu Long Bay absolutely honored the spirit of connection and interaction with nature of Yoga. At the same time, I was especially impressed with the warm welcome and thoughtful preparation for this event of Quang Ninh province in general and Van Don district in particular.

- How do you evaluate the development of the Yoga movement in Quang Ninh? + Over the years of events taking place in Quang Ninh, I have noticed that in Quang Ninh, the Yoga practice movement has really developed deeply and strongly; showing that people's lives are gradually improving, the need to care for, maintain health and improve the quality of life is increasingly valued. Especially at the event held in Quang Ninh this year, I would also like to introduce to you the undergraduate and master's courses on Yoga. The Indian government also sponsors scholarships for those who wish to study Yoga as a professional career to participate. I am very impressed to see so many people in Quang Ninh practicing Yoga as well as the popularity of Yoga in your province. From the strong development of the Yoga movement in Quang Ninh, when Yogis practice in beautiful and magnificent natural landscapes, connecting body - mind - spirit with the unique and diverse cultural foundation of Quang Ninh, it will be an opportunity for you to promote more widely about the culture and potential for socio-economic development. With the available potential and advantages, Quang Ninh can orient the development of health tourism, healing tourism associated with the activities of the Yogi team in all localities in the province.

Ambassador Sandeep Arya participated in the Yoga protocol at the 10th International Yoga Day 2024 event held in Quang Ninh.

- International Yoga Day has become an annual event held in Vietnam and Quang Ninh, so how do you evaluate the significance of this event in connecting Vietnamese and Indian cultures? + I have had the opportunity to visit many places in Vietnam and meet many people, and have seen the warm feelings and deep understanding of the Vietnamese people for India. I think that the connection between the two countries comes from common historical connections such as Buddhism or cultural heritage. In that context, Yoga is considered a new bridge in the new era to connect the friendship between the two countries. One of the aspects of Yoga is the philosophy of life, way of life and culture of a country. Therefore, when a person practices Yoga, they can understand the way of life, way of thinking and philosophy of life of India. Therefore, I think this is one of the ways that Yoga strengthens the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Particularly in Quang Ninh, in recent years, Quang Ninh has organized International Yoga Day, which can be considered a unique cultural mark between Vietnam and India, a symbol of Indian culture in Quang Ninh. Not only that, many Indians have chosen Quang Ninh as a tourist destination and cultural experience. Personally, I think that cultural people-to-people exchange plays a very important role in any bilateral relationship. And culture and sports are areas where we need to promote more exchanges.

Yogis form the Vietnamese flag at the 10th International Yoga Day.

- What is your assessment of the theme “Yoga for self and society” in promoting cultural connections? + The 10th International Yoga Day this year chose the theme “Yoga for self and society” with the meaning that if each individual can improve themselves, become a better citizen, society will progress, communicate and be in harmony. This is a message towards a healthy planet, deepening the connection of humanity, honoring the harmonious beauty between mind and body, between individuals and society. I believe that Yoga is connecting the cultures and peoples of India and Vietnam in modern times in the same way that Buddhism did 2,000 years ago. The connection of ancient civilizations has brought Yoga practices to Vietnam and influenced the lives of the people. With the spread of Yoga and its popularity in Vietnam and Quang Ninh as it is today, we are confident that Yoga will continue to help strengthen the cultural connection between the two cultures in the same way that Buddhism has created. - Thank you very much, Ambassador!