On the afternoon of June 14, the British Council, the UK's international organization foreducational opportunities and cultural relations, announced the "UK/Vietnam Season 2023" program, which includes a series of events taking place from June to December to honor and introduce cultural and educational exchange activities and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The "UK/Vietnam Season" program is organized to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the British Council's presence in Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of the UK and Vietnam officially establishing diplomatic relations.
With the theme Climate and Environment and Our Common Heritage , the "UK/Viet Nam Season" brings together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, academics and artists from a range of organisations in the UK and Vietnam to share ideas and experiences, and discuss current and future collaboration across the arts and culture, education and English language sectors.
The announcement highlights the British Council’s role as a leading partner for positive change in the arts and education sector in Vietnam through a focus on environmental sustainability, digital heritage and inclusive development.
At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most innovative and creative work from artists and organisations from the UK and Vietnam.
 |
| Mr. Scott McDonald, CEO of the British Council, spoke at the event. (Source: British Council Vietnam) |
Speaking at the program announcement, Mr. Scott McDonald, CEO of the British Council said : “The British Council is delighted to be able to bring our exciting and promising partnership to Vietnam in 2023 to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam as well as 30 years of the British Council operating here.
We hope that the 'UK/Vietnam Season' programme will help deepen the UK's relationship with Vietnam and create opportunities for people in both countries to strengthen existing connections and establish new creative collaborations in the areas of English, education, arts and culture, which we believe have the power to unite people around the world ."
Climate and Environment is the central theme of the UK/Viet Nam Season, and a shared priority for the people and governments of both countries. In collaboration with leading universities and organisations from both countries, the programme will organise hackathons, artist residencies, symposiums and digital exhibitions to showcase innovative and creative solutions to tackle climate change, including a visual exploration of threatened natural habitats through the keen eyes of children, to raise awareness about protecting our planet and shaping a better, more liveable environment for the future.
In addition, the theme of Our Common Heritage will bring together and reflect on the relationship between the UK and Vietnam through cultural heritage in many ways. The diverse programmes will demonstrate the richness of the special relationship between the two countries, such as unique music festival performances, a journey of sound into the hearts of people from Hue city to Manchester city.
 |
| Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the British Council and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. (Source: British Council Vietnam) |
Within the framework of the "UK/Vietnam Season" program, the close cooperation relationship between the British Council in Vietnam and state agencies continues to be connected and promoted through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the British Council and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The signing is a premise for mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the fields of arts, heritage, culture and creative industries, and reinforces a shared vision of supporting partnership cooperation between the UK and Vietnam as well as enhancing people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that the Ministry and the British Council have worked closely together over the years to enhance the capacity of the arts and culture sector and contribute to strengthening the partnership between Vietnam and the UK.
 |
| Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, affirmed that the event promises to create new partnerships and open up new opportunities for the younger generation. (Source: British Council Vietnam) |
"We recognise that cultural heritage is an important source of inspiration for innovation, so our collaboration also aims to nurture new initiatives inspired by our shared heritage. By initiating new dialogues rooted in the history of our two countries, we can further strengthen the ties between our peoples. The event celebrates the long-standing partnership between the UK and Vietnam, promises to create new partnerships, and open up new opportunities for the younger generation," Ms. Hoa emphasized.
Ms. Donna McGowan, Director of the British Council in Vietnam affirmed: “The British Council has witnessed the remarkable development of Vietnam over the past 30 years, and we are delighted to continue to contribute to the development of Vietnam in improving English proficiency, education, arts and culture.
Through efforts to bring together experts from the UK and Vietnam to discuss and realise the global mission of creating a sustainable world, participants can learn and contribute to some of the most important challenges facing our planet and together find ways to nurture the culture and heritage from our shared history.
 |
| Ms. Donna McGowan, Director of the British Council in Vietnam, shared about the significance of the event. (Source: British Council Vietnam) |
The UK/Vietnam 2023 programme will continue the British Council’s mission of promoting discussions, collaboration and initiatives around key issues to enhance the development of the bilateral partnership and to light up a brighter future ahead. By providing a platform for building lasting partnerships, the programme will connect ideas and experiences from Vietnam and the UK, creating a platform for conversations about common challenges."
One of the projects funded by the UK/Viet Nam Season is Field of Heritage , a multidisciplinary project combining music and visual arts to gain insight into ethnic minority groups.
Musician Quoc Trung, project representative, said that Heritage Fields was inspired by the unique landscapes, costumes, colors, and sounds of the Northwest region, from traditional musical instruments, songs, languages, and sounds of the mountains and forests to local literature and culture.
The project will be launched at the Monsoon Music Festival 2023.
In addition, the British Council will also support the projects: Teachers explore language, culture and pedagogy in Lang Son; Creative startups and climate change challenges; 7-Cs teacher development; Roots and Worlds photography related to ecological environment...
Source
Comment (0)