Hanoi (VNA) - Amid the festive atmosphere of the 2025 Minsk International Charity Christmas Fair in Belarus ahead of the New Year, the Vietnamese booth has stood out as a popular destination, featuring vivid decorations and showcasing images of Vietnam’s land, people, tourism and cuisine.
Vietnam's traditional handicrafts and culturally distinctive souvenirs attracted a lot of interest from visitors.
The annual charity fair, organised on December 13 by the Minsk diplomatic spouses’ association with the patronage of the Belarusian Foreign Minister's wife, brought together more than 30 foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations, creating a vibrant and multicultural highlight in Minsk’s cultural life during the year-end festive season.
This year’s fair has a strong humanitarian focus, symbolised by the Christmas tree of kindness, where New Year wishes are dedicated to children in special circumstances. Beyond its charitable purpose, the Minsk International Charity Christmas Fair also serves as a miniature international cultural festival, offering visitors opportunities to enjoy artistic performances, explore diverse cuisines and learn about different countries through distinctive cultural items and souvenirs.
Vietnam’s contribution was also vividly reflected on the fair’s performance stage. Artistic performances staged by children and teenagers from the Vietnamese community in Belarus received warm applause from international audiences, bringing a youthful and modern yet deeply traditional Eastern cultural touch to the European festive setting.
Speaking to Belarus Channel One Television, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belarus Nguyen Van Trung stressed that the embassy attaches great importance to the event and has participated every year on an increasingly larger scale.
He noted that the Vietnamese booth contributed to the fair’s charity fund, reflecting a spirit of sharing and support for humanitarian activities in the host country. The occasion also provides an opportunity for Vietnam to introduce its country, people, culture and cuisine to Belarusian and international friends.
At the opening ceremony, Natalia Ryzhenkova, spouse of the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the significance of the fair, noting that the growing number of participants each year demonstrates the enduring value of kindness, volunteerism and care for disadvantaged people.
Tatiana Moinea, President of the Ambassadors’ Spouses Club, said that all proceeds from the fair, including contributions from participating booths, will be converted into meaningful gifts to support those in need.
Vietnam’s active and diverse participation from exhibitions and artistic performances to cultural exchanges projected the image of a dynamic and integrated Vietnam that is always ready to contribute to international community and humanitarian activities, thereby fostering friendship, mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Belarus./.
