(VNF) - The Friendship Spring Journey 2018 was held in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on March 10^th, gathering nearly 300 delegates who are ambassadors and officials of embassies of various countries in Vietnam, and representatives of friendship associations, international and non-governmental organisations in Vietnam.

Held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the event aimed to foster friendship between the delegates and Vietnamese people, especially locals in Thai Nguyen.

Delegates enjoy the water puppet show at the Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Groups' Cultures. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES LEARN THE CULTURE AND SPECIALTIES OF THAI NGUYEN

Participants visited the Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Groups' Cultures, one of the seven national museums in Vietnam, introducing cultural heritages of 54 Vietnamese nationalities. In the museum, international delegates explored six cultural regions of Vietnam from the north to the south, as well as typical festivals, customs and traditional practices of each region.

They were also introduced to unique traditional arts of Vietnam, including water puppet, water carrying dance of Cham people, and musics of Khmer and H'Mong communities.

On the occasion, they planted trees in the Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Groups’ Cultures.

Delegates plants trees in the Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Groups’ Cultures. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

In a short interview with the reporter of Vietnam Times, Angolan Ambassador Joao Manuel Bernardo said that each space of the Museum has a vibrant point. Activities has helped delegates have a clearer view of the culture of ethnic regions in Vietnam. He think that Vietnam's ethnic cultures are extremely perse and impressive.

Visiting the Tan Cuong tea culture space centre and the ecology tea village in Thai Nguyen, the delegates had chances to experience tea processing methods as well as special cultural practices of Thai Nguyen tea growers in the famous tea production hub of Tan Cuong.

Meanwhile, Gerald Thomason, Project Manager of Latter - Day Saint Charities said, “I am very honored to participate in the VUFO’s spring program. In particular, I enjoy Thai Nguyen tea very much. Previously, some of my Vietnamese friends introduced Thai Nguyen tea to me. They say that Thai Nguyen tea is one of the best teas in Vietnam. And today, thanks to the spring trip, I have the opportunity to drink this specialties of Thai Nguyen. I think with outstanding specialties and attractions, the province will have many opportunities to develop in the future.”

Gerald Thomason and his wife visit Thai Nguyen tea field. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

OPENING UP MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION IN ALL FIELDS

On this occasion, the Thai Nguyen People's Committee organised an exchange program introducing the potential cooperation of the province in economy, trade and tourism.

Speaking at the exchange, VUFO Vice Chairman Bui Khac Son said that this year, the Friendship Spring Festival was held in Thai Nguyen province, which is home to many historic sites, identified by the Government as one of the "most important relics of Vietnam in the twentieth century". The province is famous for its many landscapes, cultural and persity heritages as well as many unique festivals. the Friendship Spring journey is the annual activity by VUFO aiming to introduce beautiful relics in Vietnam to international friends, strengthen friendship and solidarity between Vietnamese people and friends all over the world. At the same time, it creates opportunities for foreign organisations to explore and exchange opportunities for cooperation in many fields with Thai Nguyen.

Son expressed sincere thanks to the people and leaders of Thai Nguyen for their hospitalities. The trip not only had created opportunities for delegates to discover the old values of Vietnamese but also a dynamic integration of the province, thereby expanding the exchange activities and international cooperation in the future.

Bui Khac Son, Vice Presedent of VUFO deliver his speech. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

For his part, the head of the provincial Commission for Propaganda and Training cum President of the Thai Nguyen Union of Friendship Organisations, Vu Hong Bac, said that in 2017, with the solidarity and efforts of the whole system the people's consensus, the companionship of businessmen; with the support of foreign embassies and non-governmental organisations, Thai Nguyen province has achieved remarkable results such as economic growth rate of 12.75 per cent and export value reached about USD 24 billion.

Bac hopes that embassies, international organisations and foreign non-governmental organisations will continue to cooperate more effectively with Vietnam in general and Thai Nguyen province in particular, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality, at the same time, deepen the good relationship between Thai Nguyen province and partners of many countries in the world.

On behalf of the international community, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam Saadi Salama, appreciates the sincere hospitality, warm welcome of the leaders and people of Thai Nguyen province to give the chance to explore the age-old values of the country and people of Vietnam.

He also extends sincere thanks to the leadership of VUFO, Thai Nguyen Union of Friendship Organisation and provincial agencies for their cooperation to organise the event.

The Ambassador also expressed his deep impression on the beauty of culture as well as the economic development potential of the province. “We will continue to strengthen our efforts to promote and develop cooperative friendship with Vietnam in general and Thai Nguyen province in particular,” he stressed./.

Delegates explore the process of tea production. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

Delegates view national dances of Vietnam. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

Ambassador Saadi Salama experiences Thai Nguyen’s tea drinking culture. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

Translated by Phuong Nguyen