A Vietnamese Cultural Event in Oslo – “Essence of Viet Nam” took place on 13 September 2016, at Gamle Logen, in celebration of the 71st anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Norway. The Vietnamese Cultural Event was organized by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Oslo in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam.
In opening the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports Le Khanh Hai emphasized, over the past 45 years, the Governments and peoples of Viet Nam and Norway have fostered the excellent friendship and cooperation between the two countries in many fields. He highlighted that Norway has been one of the few countries extending development assistance to Viet Nam in the field of culture, sport through Transposition project and Football for All project, significantly contributing to promoting bilateral art, sport, cultural exchange and cooperation in vaious fields.
Norwegian State Secretary Ms. Tone Skogen stressed the excellent relationship between the Viet Nam and Norway, the two countries have maintained close cooperation in various fields, bilateraly and multilaterally on international and regional fora, in various fields such as fisheries, energy, climate change, United Nations reform, gender equality, cooperation on culture and sports…; now the two countries are aiming to build a partnership to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, as indicated in the joint communique between the two countries on the occasion of the official visit to Viet Nam by the Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg in April 2015.
Vietnamese Ambassador Dr. Le Thi Tuyet Mai welcome the guests attending the Cultural Event, including representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other institutions, social organizations, enterprises and other Norwegian friends, Ambassadors and other representatives from the Diplomatic Corps in Oslo, as well as representatives from the Vietnamese community in Norway, along with staff of Vietnam Embassy in Oslo, Delegation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Delegation from Vietnam Chamber of Commerce who were in Oslo for working visits.
In reviewing the country’s important achievements, the Vietnamese Ambassador stressed that despite of several wars Viet Nam has undergone to regain national independence, sovereignty and reunification, Viet Nam has managed to overcome difficulties, challenges and and build a peaceful and democratic country, obtaining significant achievements in economic and social development, improving living standards for people throughout the country, particularly achievements in poverty alleviation, education for all, gender equality… Viet Nam has been strongly committed to freer trade and sustainable development goals.
Regarding the relationship between Vietnam and Norway, the Ambassador expressed she was pleased that the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Norway have been increasingly expanded and strengthened during the past 45 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations on 25 November 1971.
Ambassador Dr. Le Thi Tuyet Mai expressed sincere thanks to the Government and the people of Norway for the invaluable support extended to Viet Nam during the war and in the course of national reconstruction and development, and facilitating the successful integration of the Vietnamese community in Norway.
State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ms. Tone Skogen congratulated the Government and the people of Viet Nam on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the National Day of Viet Nam.
State Secretary Tone Skogen, Deputy Minister Le Khanh Hai and Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai expressed confidence that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries will continue to be ever strengthened in the future for the sake of independence, freedom and happiness of the peoples of Viet Nam and Norway.
The Vietnamese cultural event “Essence of Viet Nam” featured photo exhibition, Vietnamese cuisines and traditional music and dance performances.
The artists of the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theatre and Vietnam National Music Academy presented prominent Vietnamese traditional music and folk songs, many of which have been recognized by UNESCO as world intangible cultural heritage from different regions of Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese artists also presented some Norwegian folk songs.
(N.C2)
