Opportunities for cooperation and exchange among ASEAN communities

On the evening of August 30th, the ASEAN Cultural Friendship Festival "Colors of ASEAN" opened at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, attracting a large number of international delegates and Hanoi residents.

Opening ceremony of the ASEAN Cultural Friendship Festival "Colors" at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

The festival was held to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2024), the 79th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2024), the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024), and the 25th anniversary of Hanoi being honored by UNESCO as a "City for Peace " (July 16, 1999 - July 16, 2024).

The event was organized by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations in collaboration with the Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (the ASEAN Chair in 2024) and other ASEAN countries.

Attending the opening ceremony were ambassadors and chargés d'affaires from ASEAN countries, Argentina, Mongolia, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, Morocco, the Russian Federation, Belgium, Peru, India, Egypt, Switzerland, China, Cuba, Japan, and others.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen delivers the opening speech at the ASEAN Friendship Cultural Festival "Colors". (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen emphasized that friendly cooperation and regional integration within the ASEAN framework has always been one of the priorities in Vietnam's diversified and multilateral foreign policy.

Vietnam will do its utmost to contribute to building a more cohesive and stronger ASEAN, and to strengthen and enhance friendly cooperative relations with member countries on both bilateral and multilateral levels.

The "ASEAN Colors" Friendship Cultural Festival is an opportunity for international friends working in Vietnam to meet and engage in friendly exchanges with the people of Hanoi.

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh affirmed that 2024 not only marks the 57th anniversary of ASEAN's founding but is also a significant year for Laos as it has the honor of assuming the ASEAN chairmanship for the third time.

Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh expressed confidence that, with the strong support and cooperation of member states and external partners, Laos will successfully fulfill its role as ASEAN Chair in 2024.

On this occasion, the Ambassador congratulated Vietnam on quickly overcoming the difficult period, restoring the material and spiritual lives of its people, and achieving favorable economic development.

"With its distinctive 'bamboo-based' foreign policy, Vietnam has actively expanded and strengthened diplomatic relations on both bilateral and multilateral levels. Vietnam's great achievements have contributed to enhancing its role in the region and internationally, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity," said Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh.

Artistic performances at the ASEAN Friendship Cultural Festival "Colors". (Photo: Tuan Viet)

At the event, numerous international delegates and Hanoi residents enjoyed spectacular artistic performances such as: the "Coconut Shell" dance (Cambodian Embassy), a mandoline performance of the song "Myanmar Land and Myanmar Mind" (Myanmar Embassy), and the "Chansu-da" dance (Lao students)... In addition, the performances showcasing traditional costumes of ASEAN countries also made a strong impression on the attendees.

The ASEAN Cultural Friendship Festival, held from August 29th to September 1st at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, featured various activities such as photo exhibitions, performances of traditional Vietnamese costumes from different feudal periods, ao dai and modern fashion shows, and experiential learning spaces.

According to the organizers, in addition to events such as the "ASEAN Cultural Colors" Exhibition and the "ASEAN Cultural Colors" Friendship Cultural Exchange, the festival also features an "ASEAN Colors" experiential space with 57 creative booths from Vietnam and ASEAN, souvenirs for young people and families (children can draw, color, build Lego, make traditional toys, papier-mâché masks, bamboo dragonflies, make kites, etc.), traditional consumer and fashion products from various countries; 70 "Street Flavors" booths simulating old streets, featuring rickshaws, clanging trams, flower-carrying bicycles, and food stalls; and 79 "Village Flavors" booths showcasing cultural diplomacy, economic exchange, and regional agricultural products.

The delegates pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Through cultural and artistic exchanges and photo exhibitions, the event aims to promote the image, land, people, and cultural identity of ASEAN member countries to the Vietnamese people and international friends. At the same time, the event seeks to inspire the aspiration to build and develop Hanoi into a "cultured, civilized, and modern" city; and to express and spread friendship, love of peace, and pride among the people of the capital.

This is also an opportunity for ASEAN countries and businesses within the bloc to showcase their handicrafts and traditional products, fostering exchange, learning, and collaborative development.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai, President of the Esperanto Association of Hanoi City. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Speaking to the World and Vietnam Newspaper , Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai, President of the Esperanto Association of Hanoi, said she felt extremely excited to participate in the festival. She stated: "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to promote the image of Vietnam and its people to international friends. At the same time, Vietnam will also have the chance to engage in cultural exchange with different countries around the world."

The President of the Esperanto Association of Hanoi also stated that she feels very confident and proud to wear the traditional Vietnamese ao dai, especially the one printed with the red flag and yellow star. For her, the ao dai is not simply clothing; it embodies the beauty of Vietnamese women and the unique culture of the country. She also wants to spread love for her homeland to all Vietnamese people and international friends.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khai-mac-ngay-hoi-van-hoa-huu-nghi-sac-mau-asean-co-hoi-hop-tac-giao-luu-giua-cong-dong-cac-nuoc-asean-283973.html