The programme was jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in coordination with Phu Tho province’s People's Committee and the provincial Union of Friendship Organizations.

300 participants of the event were diplomats from 30 embassies in Hanoi, representatives of various international organizations, foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Vietnam; representatives of ministries and governmental agencies, and VUFO’s member agencies. 

Bringing Vietnamese cultural value to international friends

Friendship Spring Excursion is an annual activity held by VUFO, aiming to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese people and foreign friends.

At the same time, the programme aims to enhance the friendship and cooperation of VUFO with partners, including international organizations, foreign NGOs in Vietnam. Through travelling to different parts of the country during the springtime, international friends get a chance to explore the cultural heritage and historic relics of Vietnam. The activity also helps create favorable condition to boost the economic and trade ties between localities of Vietnam and diplomatic agencies, international organizations and foreign NGOs.

Foreign and Vietnamese delegates show their respect to Hung Kings.

Elaborating the reason to select Hung King’s Temple as the destination for " Friendship Spring Excursion 2019", VUFO Chairwoman Nguyễn Phương Nga said: “We decided to visit Hung King’s Temple relic in Phu Tho province, because this sacred land marked the legendary founding of our country by the Hung Kings. The meaning of the trip, first of all, is to express our gratitude to our ancestors, who dedicated great efforts to building our country. Furthermore, through the programme, we would love to give friends from other countries the chance to explore and enjoy the beauty of our traditional culture and values, especially the grateful attitude toward ancestors and the willingness to preserve and promote the tradition of national building and safeguarding.”

After paying tribute to Hung Kings, the delegates spent time exploring the national special historic relics complex and participate in trees planting activities.

Tree planting activity

On this occasion, international friends also had chance to enjoy Xoan singing performed by artisans from An Thai Xoan Ward, Viet Tri City, gaining insights of  two world's intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO, which are the worship of Hung King and Xoan singing of Phu Tho.

On behalf of international friends participating in the Spring Excursion, Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam, Saadi Salama extended sincere thank to VUFO and the People’s Committee of Phu Tho province as well as other departments and agencies in the organizing board, for holding such a meaningful event. 

“We are very happy to have the chance to travel to the sacred land where the Hung Kings founded the country of Vietnam. From the dynasty of Hung King to those of Ba Trieu, Ba Trung until now, the Vietnamese people have been relentlessly upholding the tradition of national building and defence, which have become precious lessons about patriotism.”

VUFO Chairwoman (middle), Palestinian Ambassador (left) receive bronze drum miniature from Deputy Chairman of Phu Tho province

"You, the Vietnamese people, have been showing us convincingly how important it is to nurture the friendship and cooperative relations with all countries. The Spring Excursion today is one of the activities demonstrating that spirit, ”said Ambassador Salama.

In his speech, Ambassador Salama also expressed appreciation for the efforts of VUFO in organizing a valuable excursion, noting that as an agency specializing in people-to-people diplomacy, VUFO has successfully broadcast the image of Vietnam to friends worldwide, by creating opportunities for expats to learn about Vietnam’s history, culture and socio-economic development potentials.

New opportunities for multi-facet cooperation 

Speaking at the exchange, VUFO Chairwoman Nguyễn Phương Nga stated that the visit to Phu Tho gave international friends insight of the country’s treasured values. Furthermore, they will gain more in-depth understanding about the impressive development of Phu Tho province in multi fields, such as economy, trade, tourism.

Xoan singing

VUFO Chairwoman also expressed her hope that after the spring travel, the guests will come back to the host province to explore the province’s multi-facet potentials and turn them into practical cooperation in the time to come.

For his part, Deputy Chairman of Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee Hồ Đại Dũng extended warm regards to delegates joining the Friendship Spring Excursion 2019, noting that Phu Tho province hopes to receive more attention and supports from embassies, international organizations, foreign NGOs to help promote the image of the province, contributing to reinforcing the cooperation and friendship between the province, as well as Vietnam and other countries./.

Source: vietnamfriendship.vn/