For Czech Ambassador in Vietnam Vitezslav Grepl, Vietnam is charming and endearing as his own home country – the Czech Republic.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Czech Ambassador in Vietnam Vitezslav Grepl. Photo: Lao Dong Thu Do

He said in an interview with The World and Vietnam Report, “I am fond of Vietnamese history, natural landscape and people. Vietnamese people are hardworking and assertive, along with their humidity. In spite of the geographic distance, the Czech – Vietnam friendly relation still remain from the difficult past until the present day. This friendship was built by the mutual trust, respect and supports. Many Vietnamese studied and worked in Czech Republic, reckon it as their second home land”.

In addition, the Czech Ambassador shared his thought that Vietnam was his strong motivation to continually have his activities for growing the Czech Republic – Vietnam relation be more in depth in many fields. As he said, some visits and meetings of two countries are going to be in this year pursuant to the plans. Especially in the cultural aspect, Czech Republic intends to hold the second Franz Kafka Festival with food and film festival. Kafka Festival 2018 was a chain of cultural events to commemorate the 135^th birthday of the writer, Franz Kafka. The Festival contained activities such as: literature, cinema and music performances… in one month at over 20 Hanoi’s art and cultural spaces.

He also said, “I am nurturing the idea of Czech children’s book exhibition and outdoor cinema inside the Embassy. In over one year, I made all attempts to set up a Czech Culture Center in Hanoi. I hope the establishment of Czech Culture Centre and the launch of direct flight between Vietnam and Czech Republic contribute to expand the traditional relation of two countries.”

Translated by Thanh Van