Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival boosts mutual understanding

Art performance at the opening ceremony. Photo: VNF

On August 13, the 10^th Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival was kick off in the northern province of Ninh Binh on August 13.

During their stay in Vietnam to attend the 10^th Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival, Indian delegation called at Trang An landscape complex.

Indian delegation, led by Pallab Sengupta, Politburo member of the Communist Party of India and General Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO), is in Vietnam to attend the Friendship Festival from August 12-19.

The event, themed ‘solidarity – friendship – development’, aims at reviewing past cooperation; promoting the countries’ people, land, and culture; and boosting mutual understanding.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Nguyen Phuong Nga said the past editions of the festival held in different localities of both Vietnam and India have contributed to cementing the two peoples.

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges hold a significant meaning to reinforcing Vietnam – India collaboration toward effectiveness amid global complexities, she added.

Nga stressed the bilateral traditional friendship of mutual trust and sharing will thrive, benefiting their peoples as well as contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and in the world.

Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Nguyen Phuong Nga.

For his part, Sengupta said the bilateral cooperation is developing fruitfully in all spheres, ranging from economy, trade and investment to national defence and security, science, education, culture, tourism and agriculture.

India always attaches importance to relations with Vietnam, he added, expressing his hope that the two countries will step up people-to-people exchange in the time ahead in order to enhance solidarity and equality, and create favourable conditions for cultural and social development.

Sengupta noted it is time to discuss new activities, including those targeting young people, apart from organising such festival.

He affirmed the solidarity with millions of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in Vietnam and his support for a request of compensation for their families.

The festival lasts until August 18 across different venues, including Hanoi, Khanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City./.