Culture - Sports

Friendship Melodies programme strengthens Ho Chi Minh City's foreign relations

Cultural and art exchanges provide opportunities for people from different countries to learn about one another's traditions, strengthen friendship and promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development, said Ha Thanh, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations.

People joint the Friendship Melodies programme in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
People joint the Friendship Melodies programme in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) held its annual Friendship Melodies programme at Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Park on June 27, bringing together local residents and international friends to celebrate cultural diversity and strengthen people-to-people ties.

The event marked the 25th anniversary of Vietnamese Family Day (June 28, 2001-2026) and looked toward the 50th anniversary of Saigon-Gia Dinh officially being renamed Ho Chi Minh City (July 2, 1976-2026). It also responded to the nationwide campaign encouraging environmental protection and welcomed the first congress of the HUFO for the 2026-2031 term.

The programme drew the participation of families of consuls general, officials and staff of foreign consulates general in the city, representatives of international organisations and foreign business associations, as well as foreign students and workers living, studying and working in Ho Chi Minh City.

vnanet-potal-giai-dieu-huu-nghi-ket-noi-tp-ho-chi-minh-voi-ban-be-quoc-te-8852468.jpg
The Eastern European folk dance performance by members of the Vietnam-Eastern European Friendship Association at the "Melodies of Friendship" program in 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the event, HUFO President Ha Thanh highlighted the important role of people-to-people diplomacy as a key pillar of Vietnam's diplomacy, helping implement the Party and State's foreign policy while fostering mutual understanding, trust and cooperation among nations.

vnanet-potal-giai-dieu-huu-nghi-ket-noi-tp-ho-chi-minh-voi-ban-be-quoc-te-8852480.jpg
The performance "Song phone py mai" featuring traditional culture of Laos is presented at the event. (Photo: VNA)

She said cultural and art exchanges provide opportunities for people from different countries to learn about one another's traditions, strengthen friendship and promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development. Holding the programme on the occasion of Vietnamese Family Day also helped showcase the country's family values while further deepening bonds between Ho Chi Minh City and the international community.

Thanh also stressed that environmental protection is a shared responsibility of the international community amid global challenges such as climate change and air pollution. Through the event, organisers hoped to encourage practical actions to build a greener, cleaner and more sustainable living environment.

The programme featured traditional music and dance performances by artists, international students and art troupes from Vietnam and several countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, China and Cuba, creating a vibrant cultural space that celebrated friendship and mutual understanding./.

VNA
#Friendship Melodies #Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Park #cultural diversity #foreign policy #NQ 59 -BT Ho Chi Minh City
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