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The Vietnamese Embassy in Sweden solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam and the 55th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sweden at the Musikaliska Kvarteret Theatre in the center of Stockholm on September 6 (local time), NDO reported.

Participating in the event were Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sweden Tran Van Tuan, Swedish Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlsson; representatives of diplomatic agencies, departments, localities of Vietnam and Sweden, the Vietnamese community in Sweden and international friends.

Delegates and artists pose for a group photo. Photo: Nguyen Oanh

In his opening speech, Ambassador Tran Van Tuan reviewed the great achievements that Vietnam has made in recent years despite the complicated developments in the world and the region, the constant risks from prolonged conflicts, and increasing uncertainty.

The diplomat affirmed that Vietnam still recorded a positive economic growth rate, inflation was controlled within the target, trade and foreign investment continued to increase, people's lives were constantly improved, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security were maintained, and development goals were effectively implemented.

The ambassador also expressed gratitude for the valuable assistance of international friends, including Sweden, in the struggle for independence and the country's construction, reconstruction and development over the past 79 years.

Stockholm Friendship Concert Celebrates 55 Years of Viet Nam – Sweden. Photo: Nguyen Oanh

One of the highlights of the National Day Celebration and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sweden was the Vietnamese Ao Dai performance, with the theme "Vietnam-Sweden: 55 years of friendship," performed by the Hanoi Vietnamese Ao Dai Heritage Club. This was followed by a special art performance hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam.

The friendship concert introduced musical talents from the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Among them, a number of classical music artists studied and trained in Sweden won many high awards at domestic and international competitions; a number of folk music artists have carried out many cooperation projects on music exchange between Vietnam and Sweden and achieved many successes.

The concert harmoniously combines traditional music, jazz and classical music. Photo: Nguyen Oanh

The concert harmoniously combines traditional music, jazz and classical music, highlighting the cultural identity of Vietnam, while expressing the spirit of absorbing the quintessence of world culture, bringing the audience a calm and emotional Asian-European musical atmosphere.

The audience was especially impressed with the piano performance “Trống cơm,” a Vietnamese traditional folk melody, with the combination of artists Nguyen Hoang Phuong and Staffan Sandstrom, expressing enthusiastic support for the unique performances of the artists of the national orchestra and filled with emotions through the creative and improvised jazz.

The guests are impresive with the handmade works. Photo: Nguyen Oanh

Before the ceremony, guests admired the exhibition of Vietnamese paintings and handicrafts, called "Colors of Vietnamese Culture" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and "Cat Ba Tourism" by the People's Committee of Hai Phong city.

Through the Ao dai collection, the designers want to highlight the strong and sustainable development of the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Sweden over the past 55 years, meeting the aspirations of the two countries' people.

The exhibition also displayed images of Vietnam's cultural heritage and landscapes, a collection of Vietnamese ao dai and silk, national costumes representing regions of the country, typical handicraft products (lacquerware, bamboo and rattan weaving, ceramics, conical hats, lanterns, among others) collected from traditional craft villages of Vietnam.

The guests expressed their interest and impression with the handmade works from rattan and bamboo, made in a minimalist interior style towards the sustainability. The exhibition space was impressively designed, imbued with Vietnamese identity to promote the beauty of the country and people of Vietnam to international friends.

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