Opening of "Vietnam Day in Arabia"

Báo Tổ quốc•14/12/2024

(To Quoc) - Thousands of visitors attended the first day of the "Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024" event, enjoying an atmosphere rich in Vietnamese identity, experiencing unique cultural activities, and savoring famous dishes prepared by renowned chefs from Vietnam.

A journey to discover Vietnamese culture in the heart of the Middle East.

Although the official opening ceremony began at 5:15 PM on December 13, 2024, the cultural space at "Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024" at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh was already bustling with people coming to attend.

Khai mạc — The Saudi Arabian public is captivated by the traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting art.

The cultural space is exquisitely designed with a complex of exhibitions and diverse cultural exchange and experiential activities, deeply rooted in Vietnamese identity. The photo exhibitions "The Quintessence of Vietnamese Culture" and "World Heritage Sites in Vietnam inscribed by UNESCO" are brilliant highlights, showcasing the beautiful image of Vietnam, from scenic landscapes to unique cultural heritage sites, giving viewers a clearer understanding of Vietnam's role in cultural preservation and socio-economic development in various localities.

The art experience area attracted attention from the Saudi Arabian public and international friends. Here, Vietnamese artisans guided attendees in making colorful clay figurines, trying their hand at painting traditional Dong Ho folk paintings, or creating sparkling lacquer paintings. These activities not only provided moments of creativity but also helped international friends better understand Vietnamese culture and the creative, skillful spirit of the Vietnamese people.

In addition, the art stage, featuring performances of traditional musical instruments, also attracted audiences. Many were amazed and impressed by the performance of the quartet consisting of flutes, erhu, pipa, and zither, a genre still relatively new to people in the Middle East in general and Saudi Arabia in particular.

Vietnamese cuisine – a bridge of cultures without borders.

In particular, the food stalls featuring authentic Vietnamese dishes adapted to Halal standards, such as herbal beef pho, fried seafood spring rolls, and grilled chicken and shrimp spring rolls, all prepared live at the event, attracted many diners.

While inhaling the aroma of star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon, David Wilson, a Saudi Arabian businessman, shared: "I had pho when I traveled to Vietnam a few years ago. Today, enjoying this 'heritage' dish again at the 'Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia' event is truly an unforgettable experience for me. The subtle harmony of flavors, the aroma of fresh herbs, and the refreshing taste of the broth transported me to the streets of Hanoi. Pho is not just a dish, but also a journey of discovering the warm and rich culture of Vietnam."

To bring the authentic traditional flavors of Vietnam to the Arab public, culinary expert Nguyen Thuong Quan, President of the Vietnam Chef Training and Employment Association (VICA), said he has thoroughly researched the culture and culinary characteristics of the local people in order to prepare dishes that are both distinctly Vietnamese and familiar to the public.

"Seeing how people gathered, lined up, holding bowls of hot pho, cherishing each sip of broth, each slice of noodle... I clearly felt that Arabs truly love this dish," a leading Vietnamese culinary expert shared at the opening ceremony of Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024. It is reported that nearly 300 servings of pho and over 500 spring rolls and fried spring rolls were enjoyed by the public within just two hours of the opening.

Spreading Vietnamese culture in the "Land of Deserts"

Taking place from December 13-15, the "Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024" program holds special significance, contributing to strengthening the friendly relations and bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. This series of events not only showcases traditional cultural values but also demonstrates Vietnam's aspiration for integration and development in the context of globalization.

The event was held in the diplomatic quarter of Riyadh, attracting a large number of international guests, especially diplomatic representatives from many countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country, more than ten ambassadors from various countries in Saudi Arabia, as well as numerous politicians, businesspeople, and local residents.

Mr. Hoang Huu Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Ambassador Dang Xuan Dung, and Mr. Mohammed Al Otaibi, Director of the Department of Tourism and Events, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, jointly performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially launching a series of activities commemorating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

With the theme "Gathering the essence of a thousand years of culture - Rising in an era of wealth and prosperity," "Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia 2024" affirms the unique cultural identity of Vietnam, while also demonstrating a comprehensive and modern cultural diplomacy strategy, bringing Vietnamese culture further on the world map.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/khai-mac-ngay-viet-nam-tai-a-rap-xe-ut-2024-mang-van-hoa-viet-toi-trung-dong-20241214205830338.htm