Representative of UN Women in Vietnam Elisa Fernandez Saenz, wearing a Vietnamese ao dai, delivers a speech at the event (Photo: VNA) More than 100 female diplomats, representatives of international organisationsin Hanoi, and spouses of foreign ambassadors in Vietnam gathered at the event.
The event, entitled Following the Traces of Silk, has been organised by theMinistry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in collaboration with the VietnamSericulture Research Centre (VIETSERI) and the Vietnamese silk brand De Silk tocelebrate International Women’s Day (March 8).
The event also aims to introduce to special guests the process of makingVietnamese silk.
Adorned in a Vietnamese ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), UN womenrepresentative Saenz emphasised the importance of culture in every society.
“Culture can transform societies into more inclusive, resilient andsustainable," she said. "Culture can also be a powerful tool tocommunicate complex truths about our existence better. It can open minds andhearts to understand diversity better and act against social injustices,inequalities, and climate change.”
The UN officer also said the Vietnamese government demonstrated a highcommitment to placing culture at the heart of its ambitious developmenttrajectory.
“Currently, there are eight [UNESCO] world heritage sites and 15 intangiblecultural heritages in Vietnam," Saenz added. "This capture Vietnam'suniqueness and the country's laudable commitment to protect culture andheritage for future generations to enjoy.”
Since arriving in Vietnam five years ago, the UN officer has learned about thegreat beauty of this clothing and its prominence to those wearing it.
“Traditionally, the ao dai is made from silk, and as you know, silk has playedan important role in the cultural and economic life of Vietnam," Saenzsaid. "It has also been linked to women's movements. For example, as thegender equality movement began to gain momentum in Vietnam in the early 20thcentury, silk production became a symbol of women's empowerment.
"Women involved in silk production organised themselves into cooperativesand used the income from their work to support social and political causes,such as education for girls.”
She said she hopes that Vietnam's silk production will continue to pave the wayfor greater gender equality and prosperity for all.
Delivering a speech at the event, MoFA deputy minister of the Le Thi Thu Hangsaid that since the special day [International Women’s Day] was founded 113years ago, the international community had made great strides in protecting andupholding the role and contribution of women.
“The women ourselves also have changed in awareness and action to be moreactive in participating and contributing to society,” Hang said.
According to MoFA vice minister, in 2022 Vietnam was among the ten bestcountries in the world in implementing the United Nations' goals on genderequality and empowering women and girls.
“For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promoting gender equality and for theadvancement of women is one of the major priorities," Hang said."With the female staff accounting for nearly 47 per cent, female diplomaticpersonnel and spouses of diplomats is the core force that has been makingimportant contributions in all fields of foreign affairs.”
At the event, the participants also had a chance to learn about the origin anddevelopment of Vietnamese silk weaving craft through a demonstration from thefounder of the silk brand De Silk, Van Hang.
The guests also enjoyed visiting the VIETSERI mulberry field, where they pickedwith relish the ripe mulberries or fed the silkworm with mulberry leaves.
Some even sit by a loom to experience the weaving craft or to learn how thesilk has been reeling./.
VNA
