Friendship get-together marks Chilean National Day in Hanoi

(VNF) - A friendship gather was held on September 18^th in Hanoi to mark the 207^th anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Chile (September 18^th, 1810 -2017).

At the friendship gather at America Latina Club, Hanoi on September 18^th.

The event was attended by Le Chi Dung, Deputy Director General of the Americas Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam; members of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, Vietnam-Chile Friendship Association; representatives from foreign embassies and international organisations in Vietnam.

Addressing the meeting, Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam Claudio De Negri Quintana welcomed all delegates coming to the friendship gather.

He reviewed the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Chile over the past 46 years. He hoped the ties will continue flourishing for both countrys’ interests, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two regions and in the world.

In trade relations, Vietnam is an important partner of Chile. It is persified to cover various fields, has a strong history and a most promising future. The Vietnam-Chile free trade agreement (FTA) was signed in November 2011, taking effect in early 2014. It is also the first FTA that Vietnam signed with a Latin America country, he added.

Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam Claudio De Negri Quintana at the friendship gather.

Cooperation between Chile and Vietnam has developed in various fields. For example, Chile's Institute for Agricultural Research is helping Vietnam grow quinoa, a plant with an edible grainlike seed packed with nutrients that can grow in harsh conditions. A pilot project to grow the crop in the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam has been began. Chilean researchers will come to Vietnam to work at Vietnam Agricultural Academy and provide technical assistance to the country, he said.

The mural painting designed by artist Alejandro Mono Gonzalez as part of the existing 3.9km Hanoi Ceramic Road is a vivid demonstration of traditional friendship and the special solidarity of the two countries, the diplomat added.

He affirmed that the Chilean Embassy will hold more friendship events, including seminars, workshops, training courses, experience exchanges and other events to promote friendship between the two governments and peoples.

In the coming time, two Chilean experts will come to Vietnam to study and exchange in a project to help victims and children struggling with Agent Orange/Dioxin.

The Chilean Embassy will also host a seminar on occassion of 100^th birth annivesary of Vietnamese Philosopher Tran Duc Thao, he informed his guests.

He also mentioned the up-coming visit of Chile's President Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria in November, saying that her visit will contribute to cooperation and development between two countries.

Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam Claudio De Negri Quintana and Le Chi Dung, Deputy Director General of the Americas Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam make a toast celebrating the 207^thChilean National Day.

For his part, Le Chi Dung, Deputy Director General of the Americas Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam congratulated Chile on the National Day.

He thanked the Government and people of Chile for their support to Vietnam during the past struggle for national independence and unity as well as current national construction. He lauded Chile’s coordination with Vietnam at international forums.

He said that since the day Chile officially declared independence on February 12^th, 1818, Chilean have recorded important achievements in various fields.

Vietnam always treasures and prioritises to the development of ties with Chile, hoping to strengthen cooperation with the country in politics-diplomacy, economics-trade, culture-education, and security-defence, he stressed.

The Vietnam official also highlighted positive developments in the relationship between both countries recent years. Besides political, diplomatic and economic activities, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have been thriving as well.

Artist Nguyen Thu Thuy and Chilean artist Alejandro Mono Gonzalez beside a painting painted by him and his son at America Latina Club.

Chile is one of the longest North-South countries in the world from the Atacama desert till Torres del Paine in Patagonia. Due to its interesting and vibrant history, Chile has a rich mix of culture and customs. Its culture and products are very familiar to Vietnamese people through many well-known wine brands such as Concha y Toro, Errazuriz, Casa Silva, etc,. and many professional football players like Alexiz Sanche, Arturo Vidal, etc.

The mural painting designed by Chilean artist Alejandro Mono Gonzalez which was unveiled earlier this morning, was a symbolic manifestation of the friendship between Vietnam and Chile, in which visual arts and culture brings people closer together.

With this painting, Gonzalez wants to share his vision of a beautiful and progressive life that communist countries have aimed for since 1970.

Delegates together leave their imprint in the painting at the friendship gather.

Mono Gonzalez was born in 1947 in Curico City of Chile. He is well known for his large-size mural paintings, which have beautified public spaces and buildings in Chile and several other countries, including Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and Cuba, as well as Canada, France, Italy and the Netherlands, along with Portugal, Ukraine, China and now Vietnam.

Concerned about societal issues and the country’s destiny, the artist through his works, which are full of colour and humanity, often conveys his aspirations about human relations, people and society.

During his visit to Vietnam, Mono Gonzalez will meet artists in Hanoi and art students at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts./.

Minh Chau