“Vietnam-India: Connecting Through Culture” was the theme of a thematic information session by speaker Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Chairman of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), held on August 4th at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics .
The thematic information session was attended by researchers and lecturers in the fields of culture, scientific information, and international relations from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Academy of Journalism and Communication, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and representatives from the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (InCham) in Hanoi.
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| Overview of the thematic information session "Vietnam - India: Connecting Through Culture," held on August 4th at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. |
During the thematic information session, Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe emphasized that India is a country that values peace, friendship, and strong ideals of a world as one family, always striving for happiness for all . India's soft power and cultural influence have always captivated the hearts and minds of people. From epics, yoga, and traditional Indian medicine to vibrant music and dance, Indian culture has forged deep connections between India and the global community. This cultural characteristic has made India a prosperous nation thanks to its peace, harmony, and mutual respect.
According to Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, cultural exchange between India and Vietnam flourished from the 2nd century BC. Maritime trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods, spices, and textiles, as well as serving as a pathway for international knowledge exchange. Through these routes, languages, art, Buddhism, and philosophy from India reached Vietnam, creating a profound similarity in the spiritual foundations of the people in both countries.
In modern times, Vietnam and India face historical challenges together. Both countries fought against colonialism and for independence from foreign domination. The solidarity between the two nations was nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Indian national hero Mahatma Gandhi, along with many generations of leaders and people. Today, the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership with numerous bilateral cooperation agreements and strong cultural ties.
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| Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (center) with delegates at the thematic information session "Vietnam-India: Connecting through Culture". |
Participants posed many thought-provoking questions, such as: How can cultural ties be transformed into a foundation for success in economics, politics, trade, security, defense, and many other fields? How can the influence of Vietnamese culture be identified and enhanced in India?
The participants also agreed on the idea that understanding Indian culture is never-ending (as the title of a book, "No Full Stops in India, " suggests). Both sides urgently need continuous exchange, interaction, and in-depth research on the core cultural values of India and Vietnam, using the philosophy of "harmony" as a guiding principle for finding solutions to global conflicts.
Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe is a prominent Indian politician. He is a member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian Parliament) and served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sport. He was also the Deputy National Leader of the BJP (the current ruling party in India) from August 2014 to September 2020. The ICCR, established by the Government of India in April 1950, functions to establish and strengthen India's cultural relations with countries around the world through cultural exchange programs. |
| "Over the years, through the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Hanoi, the Indian government has organized numerous cultural and artistic exchange activities to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. Activities such as International Yoga Day, Buddha's Birthday celebrations, food and fashion festivals, yoga, dance, and Hindi language classes, heritage preservation and restoration programs, and a series of cultural exchange scholarships sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations are all evidence that India values and fosters cultural ties with Vietnam." (Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Ayra) |
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