(VOVWORLD) - The Friendship Journey 2022, a cultural exchange to strengthen Vietnam’s relations with other countries, took place on Sunday in Hanoi with the participation of over 200 delegates, including Ambassadors, Chargé d'affaires, diplomats, and representatives from Friendship Associations. Organized by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HAUFO) and the municipal Department of Tourism, the event promoted the image of Hanoi, Vietnam and enhanced mutual understanding between the Vietnamese people and international friends.
 Participants at the Friendship Journey 2022. (Photo: qdnd.vn) |
The participants told VOV that the Friendship Journey 2022 gave them fresh impression of Vietnam’s culture. They see Vietnam as one of the world’s safest, most attractive and exciting destinations.
Cultural exchange, a bridge of friendship
The Friendship Journey 2022 took the participants to Thay Pagoda, a famous religious destination in Hanoi, where they contemplated the beauty of nature and experienced Vietnam’s traditional culture through water puppetry in a communal house, a gong performance, folk games, and local dishes.
“This is the first time I attended such a program to experience the Vietnamese culture. We visit the Thay Pagoda and enjoy the Vietnamese culture and food. I’m very happy to see that Vietnam is a fantastic country,” said Uchida Shusuke, Deputy Head of Japan National Tourism Organization in Vietnam.
Hastie Brizaida, a Cuban doctor, and her children joined the Journey. She told VOV, “I’ve been living and working in Vietnam for 9 years. I really enjoy life in Vietnam, especially Vietnamese food. Vietnamese people are very friendly and hospitable. Vietnam is a safe and pleasant place. I'm so glad to join the journey. It’s the first time I watched a water puppet show. I really liked it because we, foreigners really want to know about the history of Vietnam.”
Hosting the Friendship Journey 2022 is a chance for Hanoi to promote its image as the “City for Peace”. The event opens a venue for foreign friends living in Vietnam to meet and exchange culture to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding.
“The 13th National Party Congress has identified people diplomacy as one of the three pillars of Vietnam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy. These cultural events which help strengthen mutual understanding among people of many countries and contribute to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development,” said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.
International acknowledgement
 Tatiana Pugh Moreno, Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam. (Photo: qdnd.vn) |
More than 2 decades ago on July 16, 1999 Hanoi received UNESCO’s title the “City for Peace”, acknowledging the capital’scontributions to the cause of peace and building a peaceful, dynamic city while keeping Vietnam’s traditional characteristics. The image of Hanoi as a "safe and friendly" destination has been widely promoted and received acclamation by international organizations.
"Hanoi has become our beautiful home, a mixture of tradition and modernity, a land full of businesses, tourist, and cultural opportunities. Hanoi is history, culture, architecture. But the most beautiful scene about Hanoi is its people. In my country, Venezuela, we have a saying that love is repaid with love,” said Tatiana Pugh Moreno, Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam.