SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CENTER FOR VIETNAMESE AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES (CVSEAS) AND INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART AND CULTURE (IRSAC)

On the evening of March 22, 2024, at the Southern Building of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City coordinated with the Institute for Research Development and Conservation of Southeast Asian Art and Culture to organize the Vietnam - ASEAN+ friendship meeting and exchange event in Xuan Giap Thin 2024.

Representatives from departments, leaders of the union of friendship organizations and Vietnam - ASEAN bilateral friendship associations, the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Intellectual Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association, and the Vietnam Business Association were in attendance. Additionally, there was a significant presence of five consuls general from ASEAN member countries, dressed in elegant and colorful ASEAN ao dai designed and tailored by designer Anna Hanh Le.

The exchange provided an opportunity to meet, exchange information, engage in cultural exchange, and promote trade between Vietnam and ASEAN countries within the global community of nations. This annual event, organized by the Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, aims to enhance people-to-people diplomacy efforts, contributing to the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2025 and beyond.

As the rotating chair of ASEAN 2024, Mr. Phonesy Bounmixay, Consul General of Laos in Ho Chi Minh City, shared Laos' plans and action programs to "Strengthen Connectivity and Resilience" within ASEAN context. Mr. Bounmixay particularly expressed appreciation for the activities of the Vietnam - Laos and Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, including the promotion of study scholarships, exploration of Vietnamese history and culture through film and visits to historical sites. He expressed confidence in the future development of Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the meaningful contributions of its people in foreign affairs.

During the exchange, delegates and guests witnessed a signing ceremony between the Institute for Research Development and Conservation of Southeast Asian Art and Culture and the Center for Vietnam and Southeast Asian Studies of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City. The cooperation between these two units is expected to promote research activities on Vietnam and Southeast Asia, contributing to the development of various fields in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This partnership also serves as an important foundation for the units to further leverage their strengths in organizing cultural exchange forums, promoting trade, strengthening research for sustainable development in the ASEAN community, and enhancing the quality of Vietnamese human resources to achieve the goals of the ASEAN community.

Additionally, during the program, the two co-organizing units launched their affiliated centers and branches. The the Institute for Research Development and Conservation of Southeast Asian Art and Culture launched the Southeast Asia Center for Applied Research in Science and Technology. The Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City announced the decision and launched the Vietnam - Asia Net Zero Science and Cooperation Association.

The food served during the program carries the message that vegetarianism protects the environment and contributes to raising awareness in the community about Vietnam's culinary culture and the increasingly popular macrobiotic trend in urban areas.

The welcoming group of the program consisted of students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, who wore five-piece ao dai designed by Nam Tuyen as a sign of respect for the distinguished guests in the ASEAN house and the international friends attending the program.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan expressed her gratitude to the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Friendship Organizations and the Ho Chi Minh City government for providing favorable conditions that have allowed the Association to effectively carry out its people-to-people diplomacy activities. These activities have yielded positive results and have played a significant role in the development process, highlighting the importance of culture. She also extended her thanks to the ASEAN consuls general who have consistently supported the Association's activities over time. She greatly appreciated the congratulatory speech given by the Consul General of Laos, as well as the support from various organizations and individuals who have accompanied them in their efforts to build trust and foster solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and other ASEAN+ countries.

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