A Vietnamese art performance at the event. – VNA/VNS Photo

PARIS – Vietnamese cultural heritages and the image of the country through development, renovation and dynamism imbued with national identity, were introduced to international friends during an event in Paris on Wednesday.

Addressing the event, which drew more than 100 ambassadors and representatives from countries to UNESCO, Ambassador Lê Thị Hồng Vân, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to UNESCO said the promotion of cultural values and people’s strengths was key for Việt Nam to realise its dream for a prosperous nation.

She called on UNESCO member countries’ support for Việt Nam’s candidacy for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in the 2023-27 tenure.

Việt Nam would coordinate closely with the international community to ensure that cultural heritage is not only a treasure and a source of life for cultural diversity and creativity, but also a driving force for sustainable development and an inspiration for the future.

Participants in the event had a chance to enjoy Vietnamese folk music and traditional puppetry performances.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Paris, Ambassador Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Permanent Representative of Romania to UNESCO, recalled her memories when accompanying the Romanian President to visit Việt Nam 20 years ago, impressed by the hospitality they received. 

Within the event’s framework, an exhibition was held to introduce UNESCO-recognised cultural heritages. Participants also enjoyed special dishes of Việt Nam.

Currently, Việt Nam is serving as a member of the UNESCO Inter-Governmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and vice chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

The country is racing for a seat on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2023-27 period, to which members will be elected in November 2023.

According to Ambassador Vân, with Việt Nam's active and effective contributions to multilateral forums at UNESCO, the country has gained confidence from member countries in its contribution and governance capacity in preserving and promoting the values of human cultural heritage.

UNESCO member states also spoke highly of Việt Nam’s policies and commitments to turn heritages into assets, potential into resources, and culture into endogenous strength for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, contributing to the joint efforts of UNESCO and the world in preserving heritage. — VNS