The meeting suggests many cooperation solutions in culture, arts, sports, tourism, and family between the two countries, said MOCST’s Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy.

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy having conversation with South Africa’s MOSAC’s Deputy Minister Nocawe Mafu (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy stressed, the relationship between Vietnam and South Africa has developed based on the foundation of good traditional relationships and mutual supports over the past 60 years. That foundation is a vital basis for the people of the two countries to continue to support and help each other in the work of building each country.

Remarkably, bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa in the above fields has had many positive results, effectively contributing to strengthening friendly relations and understanding between the two countries and peoples. The two sides have made efforts to strengthen exchange and cooperation in international organisations and multilateral forums such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)…

In September 2023, within the framework of the official visit of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to South Africa, Vietnam organised meaningful cultural programmes and events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (22nd December 1993 - 22nd December 2023).

Overview of the meeting (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)

In particular, the Vietnamese Cultural Space in South Africa has introduced to people and international tourists unique Vietnamese art forms such as Dong Ho folk paintings, lacquer paintings, To he making, ancient costume of Nguyen Dynasty… The space attracts the attention of South African people and many international visitors.

South Africa is a country with great potential, a leading economy and plays an important role in cooperation with Africa, indicated MOCST’s Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy. Therefore, in the next stage, the two sides need to have a strategy to promote and deepen multifaceted cooperation in the fields of culture, arts, sports, tourism and family.

Specifically, the two sides need to increase the exchange of information, policies and management experiences in the fields the two Ministries are managing through contact with delegations at all levels at official visits and meetings, as well as on the sidelines of international events. The MOCST is always ready to share experiences in developing fields with South Africa.

For event organisation, MOCST’s Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy suggested that Vietnam - South Africa need to have close and smooth coordination to organise cultural exchange activities combined with tourism promotion such as Vietnam Day in South Africa, South Africa Day in Vietnam; exhibition of paintings and photos about the country and human culture; movie week; exchanging groups of performing artists… Through the activities, the people of the two countries have the opportunity to enhance mutual understanding. Also, culture is one of the important and core "materials" to develop the tourism market of the two sides.

 (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)

MOSAC’s Deputy Minister Nocawe Mafu said, South Africa is always impressed with Vietnam's achievements in developing culture, arts, sports, tourism and family. The history of the two countries has many similarities. This is a solid foundation to continue developing the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Ms. Nocawe Mafu appreciated the efforts of the MOCST in preserving and promoting the cultural identities of ethnic groups. In addition, developing grassroots culture, ethnic community culture, promoting the role of women in developing family culture, family behaviour... are especially important issues in South Africa.

South Africa always considers Vietnam as one of the countries with rich experience in developing culture, sports, tourism and family (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)

Ms. Nocawe Mafu hopes that Vietnam will regularly share experiences, good practices, and advanced examples in the fields. Those experiences are valuable for South Africa to learn, research, and apply them into practice as soon as possible.

At the meeting, MOCST’s Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy also shared a number of experiences and the management model applies to the fields of culture, arts, sports, tourism and family.

The two sides agreed to study specifically the coordination of cultural and artistic activities on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Africa.

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