Nghe An expands cultural diplomacy activities.
Over the years, implementing the cultural diplomacy strategy in the province, departments and agencies have coordinated to organize many activities promoting the cultural values, image, and people of Nghe An, while contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship with friends from other countries.
Strengthening friendship and promoting cultural values.
In April 2024, Nghe An province and Ulyanovsk province solemnly held a ceremony to receive and inaugurate the statue of V.I. Lenin. This cultural work, imbued with the goodwill of the government and people of Ulyanovsk province, was presented to the government and people of Nghe An province on the occasion of the 154th anniversary of V.I. Lenin's birth (April 22, 1870 - April 22, 2024).
It is known that Nghe An and Ulyanovsk provinces established friendly relations in 2007. In 2017, the two provinces inaugurated the monument to President Ho Chi Minh in Ulyanovsk province – the birthplace of VI Lenin – a prominent event marking a new stage in the relationship between the two sides. The monument to VI Lenin, completed in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown, is a cultural and artistic symbol, expressing the close and affectionate relationship between the people of the two provinces; it also adds beauty to the urban landscape and serves as a highlight for the central area of Vinh city.
Representatives from Nghe An province affirmed that, through these cultural diplomacy activities, the two provinces will become more closely linked in bilateral cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, health, education and training, and tourism.
In June 2024, at the Nghe An Marathon "Journey to Lang Sen Village," among more than 3,200 participating athletes, 28 came from countries such as Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Laos to experience the running routes in Nghe An. Athlete Ray Kuschert from Australia stated that this was his second time participating in a marathon held in Nghe An, after his first time in August 2023 at the "Returning to the Land of Folk Songs and Melodies" Marathon.
“At the opening ceremonies, I enjoyed local folk songs and interacted with many famous Vietnamese runners. And the journey along the coastal roads, the Lam River, and to the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh allowed me to experience the stunning natural landscapes as well as the hospitality of the people of Nghe An,” shared Ray Kuschert.
Previously, more than a year ago, at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Nghe Tinh Folk Song Festival, in addition to outstanding performances by domestic artists, there were also performances by two singers, Kyo York (American) and YouTuber Cee Jay (Nigerian). This was the first time at a major cultural and artistic event in Nghe An that folk songs with the melodies of Nghe Tinh were performed by foreign artists, and therefore the audience received them with great enthusiasm and applause.
According to People's Artist Trinh Thi Hong Luu - former Director of the Traditional Arts Center of Nghe An province, who participated in staging the art program at the opening ceremony of the Nghe Tinh Folk Song Festival in 2023, both Kyo York and Cee Jay are very famous on social media, with millions of followers, not only in Vietnam but also abroad. Therefore, their participation in the art program at the opening ceremony of the Nghe Tinh Folk Song Festival will contribute to spreading folk songs more widely.
Promoting cultural exchange and interaction.
According to Mr. Pham Van Toan, Deputy Director of the Nghe An Department of Foreign Affairs, in recent years, cultural diplomacy has been actively implemented by relevant departments and agencies. Many cultural exchange programs and activities have been organized enthusiastically, contributing to promoting the image of the beautiful land and people of Nghe An with its unique culture to a wide audience of friends both domestically and internationally.
In addition, cultural exchange activities between Nghe An province and Gwangju city (South Korea) have been actively carried out, with notable activities including: In 2022 and 2023, the Provincial Traditional Arts Center participated in the provincial delegation to exchange and perform traditional arts in Gwangju province; in 2023, Nghe An province welcomed the Gwangju Provincial Art Troupe from South Korea to exchange and perform street art at the Vinh City pedestrian street.
In addition, cultural exchange activities between students and young people of the province and students and young people from Laos and Thailand studying in the province are also regularly organized. From 2021 to December 2023, many diplomatic delegations and international visitors came to visit and learn about the local history and culture at historical sites and museums. Specifically, the Kim Lien Historical Site received 2,230 international delegations with over 5,400 visitors; the Soviet-Nghe Tinh Museum received over 500 international visitors; and the Nghe An Museum received 400 international visitors…
In particular, since the Nghe Tinh folk singing tradition was recognized as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the province's art troupes have had many performances and exchanges at international events held both domestically and abroad, such as participating in folk song performances to serve the side activities of the 12th Vietnam-France Conference in Hanoi in April 2023; performing at "Vietnam Day 2023" in Gwangju city (South Korea) in May 2023...
Mr. Pham Van Toan - Deputy Director of the Nghe An Department of Foreign Affairs
However, representatives from the Departments of Internal Affairs and Culture and Sports also noted that, due to the province's challenging socio-economic conditions, international cultural exchange activities have not been organized regularly and have not created a special highlight for international tourists. Furthermore, efforts to introduce and promote the image of Nghe An province, including its cultural heritage and unique cultural features, to international friends have not achieved the effectiveness and objectives set out in the province's plans.
Therefore, in the coming period, in order for cultural diplomacy activities to be carried out effectively, it is necessary to improve the knowledge of cultural diplomacy for officials working in foreign affairs and culture; continue to open training courses on foreign affairs in general and cultural diplomacy in particular, and knowledge on organizing cultural events with foreign elements in localities.
In addition, we will continue to promote information exchange and publicize the cultural, historical, and artistic values of the province. We will strengthen cultural activities with international elements, programs to welcome foreign cultural and artistic delegations to Nghe An, and introduce Nghe An's heritage, scenic spots, and cultural traditions to international friends...
Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh - Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An Province
