AsemconnectVietnam -  The “Vietnam Culture Week” was held in Ottawa, Canada on September 11 as part of activities to mark the 73rd anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2) and the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Canada.

In his opening remark, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien underlined the significant role of culture in the international integration, saying that culture creates a foundation for the preservation of peace and serves as a motive for the development of other sectors.

The week, the first of its kind organised since the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties, features various activities such as art performances and photo and tourism exhibitions. It would nudge Vietnamese culture and people closer to the Canadian friends, thus consolidating and developing the comprehensive partnership between the two nations.

For his part, Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ian Shugard stressed that the two nations have enjoyed long-standing friendship and sound relations thanks to the visits by high-ranking leaders from both sides. 

Those included Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s visit to Vietnam in November last year to attend the 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Canada in June this year to attend the Expanded G7 Summit, he said.

According to the official, the bilateral ties have been deepened by robust achievements in two-way trade and education cooperation. Vietnam is currently the largest trade partner of Canada in the ASEAN, and ranks fifth among the countries having the largest number of students in the American nation. 

On September 8, the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria organised a celebration for the 73rd anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day. 

A Vietnam-Bulgaria friendship concert was staged on the occasion by Vietnamese traditional artists and Bulgaria’s Sofia orchestra.

Also, the embassy opened a photo exhibition to publicize Vietnam’s beauty, and held a banquet with an array of Vietnamese traditional dishes, which created good impression on international friends.

Source:VNA