“Vietnam Year in Italy” has been wrapped up with an exhibition of Ao Dai (traditional long dress) by designer Huong Lan at Rome Museum.
Nearly 100 events were held from January to December in many big cities to strengthen relations between the two peoples.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on December 5, Marina Sereni, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, expressed her belief that Vietnam will be a potential market for Italian businesses.
For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Hoang Long thanked Italian leaders and agencies for their strong support during the year. He noted that Italy was one of the first European countries which established diplomatic ties with Vietnam right after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.
2013 marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, providing a good chance for the two countries to review their relations and look forward to new prospects for cooperation.
Vietnam Year in Italy aims to introduce Italian and international friends to the country’s special cultural features and honour Italian friends who have stood side by side with the Vietnamese people over the years, Long said.
Cultural weeks, exhibitions on Vietnam’s cultural space, arrangement arts, traditional music performances, fashion shows, investment and economic cooperation forums and talks on bilateral ties have helped the Italian people gain a better understanding of Vietnam.