Introducing the quintessence of Vietnamese culture to Latin America and the Middle East

(CPV) - In 2024, the program "Vietnam Day Abroad" marks an important turning point in the effort to promote the image, country, people and culture of Vietnam to international friends. The two events, held for the first time in Brazil and Saudi Arabia, have attracted the attention and affection of many local people and the public.

Journey to join hands to spread Vietnamese culture

The program “Vietnam Day Abroad” is an annual national promotion program assigned by the Prime Minister to the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize since 2010. Up to now, the program has set foot in 20 countries, completing the goal of promoting the image of the country, people and culture of Vietnam to international friends; contributing to deepening and sustaining the relationship between Vietnam and other countries and strengthening friendship, understanding and mutual trust between the people of other countries and Vietnam.

“Vietnam Day Abroad 2024” held in Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

In 2024, the program will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Vietnam-Brazil relations and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Head of the organizing committee said: With the theme "Convergence of the quintessence of a thousand years of culture - Rising in the era of wealth and prosperity", "Vietnam Day Abroad" wishes to honor the unique cultural and artistic values ​​and rich history of Vietnam, while expressing the aspirations of the country and Vietnamese people to rise in the new era.

“Vietnam Day in Brazil 2024” is honored to welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking delegation.

Mr. Hoang Huu Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, shared about the event organization process: “We are very happy and grateful to receive support from local authorities and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, as well as the large and active participation of local people, public and Vietnamese communities in Brazil and Saudi Arabia. They came to see, feel, experience, and at the same time bring back warm and impressive stories about Vietnamese culture”.

At the event series, the magical appeal of Vietnamese culture is shown through the eager eyes of children making figurines, through the long lines of people waiting to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine, or through the bright smiles of attendees making their own lacquer jewelry.

Sharing after the event in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Huu Anh said: "When they said "shukran" - a sincere thank you in Arabic, I understood that: Vietnam has truly brought them impressive, warm and unforgettable experiences."

Vietnam conquers the world through cuisine and experience

Still consisting of two main components: Vietnamese Cultural Space and Art Performance Program, but "Vietnam Day Abroad 2024" has many innovations and creativity in both content and form of expression, bringing for the first time unique cultural experiences of the country, contributing to leaving a strong impression in the hearts of international friends.

In particular, the Vietnamese cultural space introduced to the Brazilian and Saudi Arabian public a unique cultural exhibition and experience complex with 10 typical activities.

The photo exhibition commemorating diplomatic relations is a special highlight, recreating the 35-year journey of cooperation between Vietnam and Brazil and 25 years between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. In addition, exhibitions such as “The Quintessence of Vietnamese Culture” and “World Heritages in Vietnam” introduce Vietnam’s scenic spots and heritages recognized by UNESCO and unique cultural values, contributing to promoting the image of a beautiful and vibrant Vietnam.

Brazilian people try on Nguyen Dynasty royal costumes and experience the beauty of Vietnamese culture.

The cultural space also recreates the life of Vietnamese people through interactive activities such as trying on Nguyen Dynasty royal costumes, experiencing the art of making to he figurines, Dong Ho paintings and enjoying lion and dragon dances imbued with the national spirit and Vietnamese traditions.

“I am very happy to see both children and adults in your country eagerly making to he figurines. This proves that creativity and joy from art can overcome all cultural or language barriers,” said artisan Dang Dinh Thuong.

Through to he, Vietnam sends hospitality and affection to international friends.

Notably, in Brazil, a country famous for Arabica coffee, the program cleverly created a connection by introducing Robusta coffee - the pride of Vietnam. A corner of Hanoi's Old Quarter was recreated with the traditional flavor of coffee, bringing a close cultural space to the Brazilian people.

The highlight of the event in Brazil was the water puppetry stage and the unique water puppetry performances – a unique intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam. Artist Phan Thanh Liem shared: “Although I have performed in many places, I am still moved when I see the audience in Brazil attentively watching, remembering their homeland. There are Vietnamese families who bring their whole family to watch over and over again, as if rediscovering memories of their homeland through each performance.”

For the first time, "Vietnam Day Abroad 2024" brings water puppetry to Brazil to serve international audiences.

If Brazilians are impressed by the coffee culture, graceful lion and dragon dances and water puppet shows, the public in Saudi Arabia is conquered by the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine. Pure Vietnamese dishes are renewed according to the Halal culinary culture of Muslims such as herbal beef pho, chicken spring rolls, fried spring rolls with lotus seeds... not only bring balance to diners' taste buds, but also tell the story of the history, culture and lifestyle of the Vietnamese people. After only two hours of opening the Vietnamese cultural space, the program "Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia" served nearly 300 bowls of pho, more than 500 spring rolls, fried spring rolls to a long line of diners.

Vietnamese cuisine spreads the culture and unique flavors of Vietnam to international friends.

Syssy, a young person from Zimbabwe working in Saudi Arabia, expressed his impression: “I love the Vietnamese-style decoration, music and cuisine here. The raw spring rolls are really attractive, like a nutritious salad. I hope there will be more events promoting Vietnamese culture like this.”

The program “Vietnam Day Abroad 2024” not only aims to promote culture but also creates a bridge to strengthen friendship, promote cultural, economic and political exchanges between countries. The success in Brazil and Saudi Arabia is a clear demonstration of the strong vitality and aspiration of Vietnamese culture to reach out to the international arena./.

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/doi-ngoai/gioi-thieu-tinh-hoa-van-hoa-viet-nam-den-my-latin-va-trung-dong-687180.html