INDONESIA - VIETNAM FESTIVAL WEEK 2024 IN HO CHI MINH CITY
, 26/11/2024 16:11On 22.11.2024, the Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City organized the Indonesia - Vietnam Festival Week 2024. The program was attended by the Consuls General in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as consular staff and partners. Representatives from the Center for Vietnam and Southeast Asian Studies attended the program, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan- Director, and Mr. Phan Hieu Nghia.
The festival takes place on 22 - 23.11 at the Children's House of Ho Chi Minh City. The program includes many attractive and exciting activities such as art performances, exhibitions of Indonesian products, educational fairs introducing opportunities to study in Indonesia, and Indonesian food fairs.
Speaking at the event, Consul General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City Agustaviano Sofjan stated that the Indonesia-Vietnam Festival Week aims to strengthen cultural and trade relations between Indonesia and Vietnam in anticipation of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025, as well as to give the people of Ho Chi Minh City the opportunity to explore and experience the unique features of Indonesia.
“This year's event has many activities designed to build a strong and lasting friendship, bring us together, and provide us with opportunities to share and experience the unique cultural heritage of the two countries,” said Consul General Agustaviano Sofjan.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Pham Dinh Diem, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, remarked that Vietnam and Indonesia have a traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation spanning decades.
Mr. Pham Dinh Diem expressed his joy that Vietnam and Indonesia are important partners. In 2023, trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Indonesia accounted for 30% of the total trade between the country and Indonesia, reflecting the city's role as an investment and business destination for Indonesian enterprises.
Additionally, Mr. Diem noted that the city is witnessing an increase in Indonesian businesses investing in Ho Chi Minh City and expressed a desire to create conditions that promote local businesses in strengthening trade relations with Indonesian partners.
The Cultural Festival, performed at the Children's House of Ho Chi Minh City, included dance performances from various cultural regions across Indonesia, with each dance showcasing its own beauty, thereby contributing to the promotion of the rich and cohesive image of the people and country of Indonesia. At the end of the Indonesia - Vietnam Festival, a performance of Don Ca Tai Tu music from Vietnam took place, featuring live music from traditional instruments of both countries.
The Center for Vietnam and Southeast Asian Studies maintains a close cooperative relationship with the Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as with universities and partners in Indonesia. The center regularly organizes Bahasa Indonesia language classes, exchange programs, and scholarship introductions from Indonesian universities. This partnership will continue to strengthen and provide many learning and employment opportunities for students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.