A festival promoting Vietnamese culture and history got underway in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on Sept. 1 as part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam-RoK diplomatic ties (1992-2012).
The festival is organised by the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association (KOVIFA) with the support of the RoK Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Addressing the event, KOVIFA President Choi Young-joo stressed similarities in history and culture shared by the two countries, as well as their common goal of peace, friendship and cooperation.
He noted that Vietnamese number about 123,000 among the total 1.4 million foreigners living, studying and working in the RoK.
The KOVIFA President expressed his hope that the festival will offer an opportunity for RoK people to understand more about the culture and history of Vietnam and help multi-cultural families soon integrate into the local community.
The festival is scheduled to be held in turn in Seoul's four districts of Guro, Dobong, Eunpyung and Seongdong every Saturday this month.
Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Trong Toan spoke highly of KOVIFA's hosting the significant event in the context that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries are developing fruitfully in all fields.
The diplomat took the occasion to thank the RoK Government and people as well as KOVIFA for their support to Vietnam-RoK families.
He expressed his hope that the friendship between Vietnam and the RoK will continue to develop, for interests of each country's people, and for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large.
Vietnamese brides in the RoK joined in the festival with several artistic performances and Vietnam's traditional dishes.