Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Azerbaijan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural ties, with a book launch honouring a pioneering Azerbaijani filmmaker and high-level discussions paving the way for broader bilateral cooperation in culture, sports, and tourism.
The events marked the first visit to Vietnam by a delegation from Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora. They highlighted the enduring friendship between the two countries, which has been nurtured through decades of people-to-people exchanges.
At the centre of the visit was the launch of "What I Saw in Vietnam", a collection of short stories by Ajdar Ibrahimov (1919–1993), an acclaimed Azerbaijani-born Soviet film director, screenwriter and People's Artist, widely regarded as one of the pioneers who helped lay the foundations of Vietnam's revolutionary cinema.
The Azerbaijani State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Vietnam, the Department of International Cooperation, and the Vietnam Film Institute under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism jointly organised the event. The book launch served as both a tribute to Ibrahimov's remarkable legacy and a symbol of the growing cultural partnership between Vietnam and Azerbaijan.
![z77925735498705fad2e0cd685ae20fe31e8f97981b16d-ytpb.jpg](https://mediaen.vietnamplus.vn/images/j8S7eflZKumPbip14GceIwwOyC31YfNCkjwN1CryM1Mo49YdV0YRfmEhEzXZiVSnMBruzsJExdftZQCjkV9_Q9q5ZdvAU0-aA6MnS-8wJ4g/z77925735498705fad2e0cd685ae20fe31e8f97981b16d-ytpb.jpg.avif "The book "What I Saw in Vietnam" offers readers vivid insights into a pivotal period of Vietnam's history, reflects Azerbaijani filmmaker Ajdar Ibrahimov's deep affection for the country, and highlights the cultural exchanges that helped shape Vietnam's revolutionary cinema. (Photo: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)")
Speaking at the event, Director of the Vietnam Film Institute Le Thi Ha said Ibrahimov came to Vietnam at the invitation of President Ho Chi Minh at a time when the country's film industry was still in its infancy, lacking both professional personnel and technical expertise.
During his stay from 1959 to 1962, Ibrahimov not only taught filmmaking but also helped establish the National Film School, selected and trained its first generation of students, and contributed significantly to the development of Vietnam's cinematic foundations.
Under his guidance, several of Vietnam's earliest graduation films were produced, including"Con Chim Vanh Khuyen" (The Fledging) and "Hai Nguoi Linh" (Two Soldiers), which received awards at the 1962 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in then-Czechoslovakia. Their success marked one of the first international recognitions for Vietnamese cinema and helped introduce the country's filmmaking to the global stage.
Drawing on his experiences in Vietnam, Ibrahimov later wrote "What I Saw in Vietnam", documenting his observations of the country, its people and culture during a transformative period in its history. The publication offers readers in both countries a valuable historical record while reflecting the close friendship forged through cultural cooperation.
On the same day, the Azerbaijani delegation met with Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong to discuss measures for expanding bilateral cooperation.
Fuad Muradov, Chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora, said Vietnam and Azerbaijan have long maintained close ties through thousands of Azerbaijanis who once worked in Vietnam and many Vietnamese who studied and lived in Azerbaijan.
He noted that in recent years, the two sides have organised a variety of initiatives to reconnect Vietnamese alumni of Azerbaijani educational institutions, including return visits to Azerbaijan and exchange activities that have helped reinforce traditional friendship and mutual understanding.
According to Muradov, events such as the launch of Ibrahimov's book not only honour the shared history between the two nations but also inspire younger generations to preserve and further strengthen the longstanding relationship.
For his part, Dong underscored the important role of cooperation in culture, sports and tourism in advancing bilateral relations. He said these sectors not only enrich the spiritual and cultural life of both peoples but also serve as effective channels for promoting mutual understanding, fostering people-to-people exchanges and strengthening friendship.
![img-7508-edit-1777962062707-1485.png](https://mediaen.vietnamplus.vn/images/j8S7eflZKumPbip14GceI1VBZ_hbG3DhWymi1_Dzh2B9paU6Z_zrJzeQSz70VjdVFv2a4qtX-VUDKchQh__8tw/img-7508-edit-1777962062707-1485.png.avif "Fuad Muradov, Chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora, presents copies of "What I Saw in Vietnam" and commemorative gifts to Director of the Vietnam Film Institute Le Thi Ha. (Photo: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)")
The two sides also reviewed the implementation of a memorandum on cultural cooperation signed in 2025, describing it as an important framework for translating bilateral commitments into practical cooperation programmes.
They agreed to step up coordination in implementing the memorandum, expand exchanges between cultural institutions, and promote initiatives that showcase the cultural heritage and artistic achievements of both countries.
The officials expressed confidence that more effective implementation of the agreement would create new opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of cultural activities, contributing to stronger bilateral ties commensurate with the potential of both countries.
Concluding the meeting, Vietnam and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their determination to deepen cooperation, particularly in culture, which both sides described as a sustainable foundation for strengthening their traditional friendship.
The visit, together with the publication of "What I Saw in Vietnam", reflects the growing momentum in Vietnam–Azerbaijan relations and signals a new chapter in cultural cooperation, building on shared historical bonds while creating fresh opportunities for exchanges between future generations./.
