A special cultural event to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations (1973-2023) has been jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada, the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group, and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), VNA reported.

In his opening remarks at the event, Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang highlighted the sound relationship between the two countries in various fields, from diplomacy, politics, investment, and trade to cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

He affirmed that Vietnamese people have always considered Canada as a trusted friend and real partner in the Pacific region.

Congressman Shaun Chen, Co-chairman of the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group (second from left), General Secretary of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association Nguyen Nang Khieu (second from right), and Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang (first from right). Photo: VNA

Congressman Shaun Chen, co-chairman of the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group, pointed out that Canada has an impressive Vietnamese community that is growing along with the development of relations between the two countries established half a century ago, acknowledging that people-to-people exchange is one of the factors to promote the two countries’ ties in all aspects, especially when Canada is implementing the Indo-Pacific Strategy in which the relationship with Vietnam is an important part.

The ties between Vietnam and Canada have seen positive changes since the two sides established a Comprehensive Partnership in 2017. Vietnam has become Canada’s biggest trading partner in ASEAN and a gateway for Canadian enterprises to invest in Southeast Asia as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, Canada has become Vietnam’s second-largest partner in the Americas. Two-way trade reached USD seven billion in 2022 and the figure is expected to climb to USD 10 billion in 2023.

Congressman Shaun Chen, co-chairman of the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group delivers his speech.

General Secretary of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association under the VUFO Nguyen Nang Khieu said people-to-people diplomacy is one of three pillars of Vietnam’s diplomacy in the new context, contributing to promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Vietnamese community in Canada currently has about 300,000 people and there are about 21,000 Vietnamese students studying in Canada. This is said to be an important resource and social basis that contributes to promoting the development of the two countries' relationship in all fields, especially in cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnamese expats, officials and employees of the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada enjoyed Vietnamese folk songs filled with love for their homeland performed by artists of the Vietnam Theater Artists Association and organizations under VUFO.

Former Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam David Devine and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy also had fun with artists performing Quan Ho songs together.

Artist from the VUFO's delegation performs puppetry at the ceremony.

An art performance at the event.

Former Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam David Devine and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy sing with Quan Ho artists.

Congressman Chen shared with VNA reporters that the event was a reminder of cultural diversity in Canada. He's proud that everyone, from all over the world, can come here and call Canada their home. Everyone has a story and a connection to certain places and today, the Vietnamese overseas community in Canada has gathered here to celebrate their cultural traditions and history.

He believes this creates Canada's unique diversity because the nation values differences in history, culture, tradition, language, and cuisine. It was impressive to witness all these cultural activities and hopefully, the event will contribute to further strengthening relations between the two countries in the future.

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