When Vietnamese Culture Touches the "Hearts" of Thailand

Performing a musical work called “Vietnam an long” (Vietnam at Peace), based on the poem of the same name, the Princess touched the hearts of many at Chulalongkorn University on March 26, after showcasing the friendship, attachment, and sincerity between the Vietnamese and Thai people.

The international friendship is the result of tireless cultivation from both sides in all fields since Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1976. Over the years, Vietnam-Thailand relations have constantly developed well, going in-depth in all fields. Political and diplomatic trust has been strengthened, trade and investment have continuously grown, and cultural, people-to-people exchanges have been vibrant.

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sinrindhorn (middle, bright colored Ao Dai) performed the work "Vietnam Peace of Mind" on March 26 in the capital Bangkok. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand)

Create a foundation for the future

To continue and promote that flow of good relations, from April 10-12, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son officially visited Thailand and co-chaired the 5th Meeting of the Vietnam - Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara.

This is the first official visit to Thailand of Minister Bui Thanh Son, taking place nearly after the visit to Hanoi of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara (October 2023). The visit plays a significant role in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries in general and the cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries in particular, creating a solid foundation for upgrading the two countries' relationship to a new level.

The Announcement dated April 9 of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that during the visit, the two Ministers will co-chair the fifth JCBC to monitor progress and discuss future steps for bilateral cooperation on the all fields, including security, trade, investment, tourism, labor, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

The visit took place in the context that the two countries just celebrated 10 years of strategic partnership (2013-2023) with many practical commemorative activities. According to the assessment of Chargé d'Affairs of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand Bui Thi Hue, Vietnam-Thailand relations are currently at a particularly good stage with deep political trust, economic - trade - investment and security - defense cooperation being bright spots. These achievements have created a solid foundation for the leaders of the two countries to agree to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a new level for the development and prosperity of each country, and for the benefit of the two peoples.

Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976, upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in June 2013 and issued a joint statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership in July, 2015.

Close presence

Along with the development of relations between the two countries in many fields, the image of the country and people of Vietnam is becoming increasingly closer and more present in the cultural and social life in the "land of smiles." These are President Ho Chi Minh's relics, Vietnamese Pagodas, and Vietnamese language classes/schools in Thailand. That is also "Vietnam Town" in Udon Thani city. Vietnam is also the main theme of a musical work personally composed and performed by Princess Maha Chakri Sinrindhorn.

People-to-people exchange activities are actively implemented, especially cultural, culinary, and musical exchanges and major holidays of the year such as National Day on September 2 and President Ho Chi Minh's birthday anniversary on May 19, Lunar New Year... In which , the Vietnamese community in Thailand plays an important role as a bridge, contributing to promoting the image of the country and the people of Vietnam and cultivating good relations between the people of the two countries.

In particular, "Vietnam Street" came into operation and became a tourist-cultural highlight of Udon Thani, attracting domestic Thai tourists to visit and learn about the Thai-Vietnamese community.

People-to-people exchanges are promoted through local cooperation and educational cooperation activities such as student exchange, bringing Vietnamese language and Vietnamese studies into the education system at several Thai universities. In November 2023, Udon Thani University launched the first Center for Vietnamese Studies in Thailand and welcomed Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue on the occasion of his official visit to Thailand in December 2023. This is a source of support and encouragement for the school and Thai students who love the Vietnamese language and Vietnamese culture.

Thanks to that, beautiful images and impressions of the country and people of Vietnam have touched the "hearts" of the Thai people. This is clearly portrayed in the poem "Vietnam at peace" composed by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Attending that special music program, Charge d'Affairs Bui Thi Hue shared with great emotion and pride. Touched by the sincere and precious feelings of an important figure in the Thai Royal Family for the country and people of Vietnam.

That sentiment was written into poetry, painted into music and performed in the solemn space of the prestigious Chulalongkorn University auditorium, before the warm welcome of more than 1,500 delegates who are Thai scholars, intellectuals and officials as well as foreign diplomats in the country.. Proud that Vietnamese cultural materials are recreated on stage through elaborately choreographed scenes and illustrations of song lyrics shown on the big screen of the stage.

The close bond between the two peoples was expressed in the poem, which is both warm and sincere, like an invitation to explore Vietnam that is repeated many times:

“There are countless untold stories

It's difficult to write because there are so many

Whenever there is a chance, we will invite you

Let's go together on a peaceful journey".

Looking to the future, with the efforts of the two countries' leaders at all levels, the affection of the peoples across all genders and classes for each other is a favorable condition and a launching pad for Vietnam and Thailand to continue promoting cooperation in all key areas, preparing to bring bilateral relations to new levels in the context that the two countries have just celebrated 10 years of strategic partnership and are moving towards the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1976-2026).

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