To commemorate the 65th anniversary of Indonesia – Viet Nam diplomatic relations (30/12/1955-30/12/2020), the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam co-hosted a cultural and artistic event themed Friendship Night of Indonesia and Viet Nam at Hanoi Opera House on 16 November 2020.

The event attracted almost 500 people consisting of leaders and officials of the Ministries, representatives of provincial governments, private sectors, associations, universities, students, Indonesian companies and Indonesian living in Hanoi.
 
Honorable guests attending the event among others are H.E. Mr. Nguyen The Ky, President of Voice of Vietnam and Central Party Committee Member, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism H.E. Mr. Ta Quang Dong, Vice Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dzung, Vice Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, and, as well as Ambassadors and diplomatic corps in Hanoi.

“This event will help promote both countries’ image and further improve our mutual cooperation in many fields,” said Ambassador Ibnu Hadi in his opening remarks. For his part, H.E. Mr. Ta Quang Dong, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism affirms that “the event not only contribute to strengthening the solidarity between the people of the two countries… but also introducing the ASEAN identity to the international community.” 

During the event, all audiences enjoy the unique features of Vietnamese cultures as well as the diverse culture of Indonesia. Since the Embassy could not invite art troupes from Indonesia due to COVID-19, it collaborated with one of the alumni of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship in 2016, Le Tran Thao Nhi, to be the choreographer of the Sekar Jepun dance of Bali and Bajidor Kahot dance of West Java. The Indonesian performance was then followed by a mashed-up dance that involved students of the Indonesian Language Course in Hanoi.

The event also announced and presented prizes for the winners of the video competition themed “Aku dan Indonesia” held by the Indonesian Embassy for all Vietnamese who can speak Indonesian. The prizes presented for the first winner is USD 200 and Voucher of land tour Bali 4 days/ 3 nights for 02 persons; for the second winner is USD 100 and Voucher of land tour Bali 4 days/ 3 nights for 01 person; and for the third winner is USD 50. The vouchers were provided by Golden Tour and Convention.

The Friendship Night of Indonesia and Viet Nam was concluded with a special performance of Ambassador Ibnu Hadi with singer Bao Tram performing the song “Si Jantung Hati/Hen Ho Dem Trang” which swayed the whole audience. Both the Indonesian Embassy and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as co-organizer hope that this meaningful cultural event can bring the two nations closer and together move toward more robust developments./.

Khac Kien