On April 27, the Dutch celebrate the birthday of their head of state, King Willem Alexander; the national holiday is known as King’s Day. Ambassador Nienke Trooster sends Việt Nam News readers a message on the occasion.

Trade and innovation are a big part of the Dutch culture and mind-set, which is visible in the many ‘free markets’ (flea markets) throughout the country on King’s Day. One in five Dutch citizens will participate by selling their second-hand goods for a bargain price, or try to earn some money with the most innovative ideas and games.

Besides the markets, many concerts and special events are organised in public places. A free outdoor concert with world famous Dutch bands and DJs is held on Amsterdam’s Museumplein, where as many as 800,000 people gather.

The Royal family visits a different city every year, where they participate in the local events, concerts and activities. This is broadcasted on national television and many Dutch people watch this either live or on the news. Those taking part in the King’s Day celebrations typically consume orange coloured food and drinks, wear orange clothing and other accessories, or even dye their hair orange in honour of the Royal family of the Netherlands, the House of Orange-Nassau.   

You might also see some Dutch people in Việt Nam wear orange these days, because the many Dutch people abroad will celebrate their national holiday anywhere.

The Dutch Embassy in Hà Nội and the Consulate-General in HCM City will hold their King’s Day receptions on April 26. Most of their guests will also be wearing a touch of orange in their clothing. These festive occasions create an opportunity for Vietnamese contacts and the Dutch community to jointly celebrate the strong economic, social, cultural and political ties between the countries.

The King’s Day receptions this year have a special significance, because 2018 is the year in which Việt Nam and the Netherlands look back on 45 years of diplomatic relations.

This is why, in co-operation with the Hà Nội People’s Committee, the Nhật Tân bridge will be lit spectacularly orange on King’s Day, April 27. The Kingdom of the Netherlands further marks this special year by organizing concerts of Dutch jazz duo Saskia Laroo/Warren Byrd on May 2, 4, 5 and 6; as well as by organising a number of “Dutch Days” in Đà Nẵng, Đà Lạt, Hải Phòng and Cần Thơ cities; and by bringing the World Press Photo Exhibition 2018 to Hà Nội (June 16-July 6).

The World Press Photo Exhibition visits over 100 major cities around the world, and attracts 4 million visitors every year. The Netherlands – in cooperation with the Việt Nam Journalists’ Association (VJA) – is organising this exhibition on the occasion of 45 years of diplomatic relations with Việt Nam in 2018.

The World Press Photo Exhibition is a world-famous exhibition of the best and most memorable press photographs from around the globe. The exhibitions showcase stories that make people stop, feel, think and act. For the first time in 15 years, the exhibition will visit Việt Nam. Other Asian destinations in 2018 include Singapore, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Macau.

The exhibition this year consists of 130 photographs, in a number of categories (e.g. Contemporary Issues, Environment, General News, Nature, People, Sports, etc). Previous winners whose works were included in the World Press Photo Exhibition, and who might be known to the Vietnamese audience, include: Vietnamese-American photographer Nick Ut, who took the famous photo of Phan Thị Kim Phúc (1972); German photographer Carsten Peter who documented one of the first expeditions in Sơn Doong cave (2010); and Vietnamese photographer Maika Elan who focused on the personal life of gay couples in Việt Nam in her story The Pink Choice (2013).

The 2018 winners of all categories were announced at the World Press Photo Awards Show on the evening of April 12 in Amsterdam; and Venezuelan photographer Ronaldo Schemidt was announced as the winner of the World Press Photo of the Year. -- VNS