Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn (third from left) with the collection of Đông Hồ traditional paintings on display at the Việt Nam Days in Austria event in Vienna. — Photo from the organiser

VIENNA — Việt Nam Days in Austria 2022 was held in Vienna, Austria on September 28-29, opening a series of events of Việt Nam Days Abroad 2022.

This is one of the important activities organised by the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Austria (December 1, 1972 – December 1, 2022).

The programme not only contributed to tightening the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, promoted trade and economic cooperation but introduced the uniqueness of Vietnamese culture to the public in Austria. 

The event was attended by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn on his official visit to Austria, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Austria Nguyễn Trung Kiên, Acting Director General of the Europe Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Minh Hùng, representatives of related departments under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and officials of the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria.

Việt Nam Days in Austria 2022 also welcomed politicians, businesses and people in Austria including Secretary General for Foreign Affairs of Austria Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Amelie Gross.

Việt Nam Days in Austria 2022 comprises three main activities:

• The official Opening of Việt Nam Cultural Space on September 28 at Palffy Palais
• The Ceremony of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between Việt Nam and Austria on the evening of September 28 at Konzerthaus concert hall.
• Việt Nam - Austria Business Forum on September 29 at the Austrian Economic Chamber 

Within the framework of the programme, Foreign Minister Sơn cut the ribbon to officially open Việt Nam Cultural Space, co-chaired the Ceremony of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between the two countries, and delivered his opening remarks at  Việt Nam - Austria Business Forum. 

Việt Nam Cultural Space provided the public with an overview of the 50-year friendship and partnership between Viet Nam and Austria, presented by an exhibition of 34 photos of high-level leaders’ official visits to the other country. At the same time, it offered participants a chance to experience unique traditional art forms of Viet Nam, such as Vietnamese tea art, Đông Hồ folk painting, lacquer painting, traditional musical instrument performance, and Áo dài fashion show. 

The public in Austria, particularly young people, expressed great excitement about their first-hand experience with Vietnamese cultural promotional activities and shared highlighted moments of these events on social media. 

At the Ceremony of the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam - Austria relationship establishment, delegates were invited to attend the flags saluting ceremony and national anthems sang in opera. In particular, the symphony orchestra of the Việt Nam National Academy of Music joined with Austrian artists to perform some outstanding musical works from the two countries. Some highlights are the Vietnamese folk song “Trống cơm” (Rice drum), “Return to the Motherland” by Nguyễn Văn Thương, “Die Forelle” by composer Franz Schubert, “Papageno&Papagena” from the opera “Magic flute” by composer W. Mozart…

The Vietnamese foreign minister said: “The world we are living in is facing tremendous global challenges, such as climate change, food and energy security…, which have made enormous impacts on our countries’ security and development.

"In that context, I believe that Việt Nam and Austria, on the basis of our traditional friendship and partnership, will further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation so that we can fulfil our commitment at the UN COP26 climate change conference, join hands to build a world of peace, stability and sustainability”.

At the Việt Nam - Austria Business Forum, experts and business leaders of the two countries discussed key topics on economic and business cooperation between Việt Nam and Austria, opportunities and challenges in the coming period, and the macroeconomic picture and prospects for bilateral relations.

Trần Quốc Khánh, Deputy Director General of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy & UNESCO Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added: “Việt Nam Days in Austria 2022 is an important diplomatic activity, not only strengthening the 50-year cooperation between Việt Nam and Austria, but also offering an opportunity to introduce the image of a beautiful, vibrant, and promising Việt Nam to the public in Austria, including overseas Vietnamese community.

"Việt Nam has maintained sustainable economic development, becoming an ideal and promising destination for international investors. We have coordinated closely with partners to convey those values ​​to the overseas Vietnamese community and international friends.”

Việt Nam Days Abroad 2022 is organised by the Department of Cultural Diplomacy  and UNESCO Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese embassies in Austria, India, and South Korea, and other partners including Mark&B, Mỹ Thanh, and Lê Group. 

Following Việt Nam Days in Austria 2022, Việt Nam Days in India 2022 is projected to be held from November 3-4 in New Delhi to mark the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam - India diplomatic relations establishment. Taking place from the end of November to the beginning of December, Việt Nam Days in Korea 2022 will be the last programme of Việt Nam Days Abroad 2022, held in Seoul to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between Việt Nam and South Korea. 

Việt Nam Days Abroad is an annual national promotion programme, assigned by the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010.

The programme usually takes place on the sidelines of  Vietnamese high-level Leaders’ official visits to other countries. — VNS