Vietnam, India to lift cultural, people-to-people exchange cooperation

 

New Delhi (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi agreed to lift bilateral cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange to a new height during their working session in New Delhi on December 17.

Hung told his host that during talks between National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and leaders of the Indian House of Representatives and Upper House, both sides affirmed the importance of culture in bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

He suggested the two sides jointly hold the Vietnam Culture Week in India and India Culture Week in Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year, as well as boost collaboration in archeology, restoration of cultural heritages and cinema.

Vietnam stays ready to welcome Bollywood filmmakers to the country to screen well-known destinations, he said. He also proposed considering the organisation of more tourism promotion seminars and cultural projects.

Lekhi, for her part, said the two cultural ministries should continue raising public awareness, especially among young generations, about cultural tradition and value of the two nations.

India is willing to assist Vietnam in preserving and restoring cultural heritages and museums, she said, adding that in early 2022, a delegation of Indian experts will travel to Vietnam to survey archeological projects as committed.

She agreed with Hung’s proposal about holding cultural-art programmes in each country on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year. She also informed that India is accelerating internal procedures to soon sign the Protocol on cultural exchange for the 2022-2025 period.

The same day, Minister Hung held separate receptions and working sessions with leaders of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship and the  India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee in West Bangal.

Both sides pledged to regularly share information and experience in holding people-to-people diplomacy activities, and enhance coordination between Vietnam and India’s friendship associations.

Also on December 17, Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and Indian Minister of State for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in marine science and ecological system during their working session.

They vowed to establish a joint working group to build annual plans for the MoU implementation./.