Vietnam Pavilion's Opening Ceremony At Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE

Attending the event were Prof. Dr. Ta Quang Dong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Nguyen Manh Tuan, the Ambassador of Vietnam to the UAE; Mrs. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Commissioner General of Vietnam at EXPO 2020 Dubai, Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and international guests including Mr. Omar Shehaded, Expo 2020 Dubai's Chief of International Participants, Mr. Graham Cooke, Founder and President of World Travel Awards as well as Ambassadors and Commissioner Generals, Pavilion Director of International participants especially ASEAN member states and ASEAN Secretariat at EXPO 2020 Dubai and many more.

This year marks Vietnam's seventh presence at the World EXPO under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Speaking at the Opening ceremony, Mr. Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister said: "The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most memorably devastating catastrophes of modern history, causing a tremendous impact on every aspect of social life. The participation of Vietnam at EXPO 2020 demonstrates the firm commitments and great efforts of the Vietnamese Government to promote its national image, raise the cultural and creative values of Vietnamese people, and to add Vietnamese colour to the vivid-coloured painting of the world."

Covering an area of more than 850 square metres, Vietnam Pavilion is located at the Opportunity District, featuring the theme "Distilling the past, Shaping the future".

Compared to previous Expos, this year, in addition to promoting national culture and traditions, the Vietnam Pavilion also highlights numerous new achievements in science and technology. Visitors can experience Vietnam through 3D VR glasses, touchscreens and learn more about technological achievements of "Make in Vietnam" (a special campaign to emphasise the initiative in the creation and design of high-tech products by Vietnamese), such as the Dragon satellite line, sneakers made from recycled coffee and plastic, 3D-printed carbon fiber unibody products and Vietnam's own artificial intelligence robot and many more.

According to Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Vietnam's Commissioner General at EXPO 2020 Dubai, Vietnam Pavilion will actively promote international collaboration, trade, investment and tourism through seminars, forums and B2B and B2C meetings. Vietnam will also participate in international events at Expo 2020 Dubai such as ASEAN Day on December 13, 2021 and Francophonie Week (March 2022). Vietnam is the only Asian country to take part in the virtual reality tour hosted by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

The most anticipated event is the Vietnam National Day (December 30) when Vietnam is in the spotlight with a series of activities including the Vietnamese flag raising ceremony, a parade, projection of the Vietnamese flag on the surface of Al Wasl Plaza's dome, Vietnamese outdoor arts and fashion performance, a country business briefing and trade promotional event for investors and businesses, and the Vietnamese Film Week.