In the framework of Ho Chi Minh City - Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Festival 2023, on 27th November, the Opening Ceremony took place at 23/9 Park, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, attracting a large number of people to participate.

The festival is held annually to promote the image, culture, tourism and economy of Gyeongsangbuk-do province (Korea) in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as promote cooperation and exchange between the two localities, contributing to further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership relations between Vietnam and Korea.

The Opening Ceremony of Ho Chi Minh City - Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Festival 2023 (Photo: HTV)

Speaking at the Ceremony, Mr. Duong Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the People Committee of Ho Chi Minh City highly appreciates the government of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province regularly organises Culture and Tourism festivals in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Duong Anh Duc stressed, this year, the Gyeongsangbuk-do delegation led by the Governor and many businesses visited the City, organising the Festival with the coordination of Ho Chi Minh City authorities is a testament to the commitment and attention that the leaders of the two localities have for promoting bilateral relations.

At the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Lee Cheol Woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province recalled the history of the formation of relations between Vietnam and Korea. Mr. Lee Cheol Woo indicated that the relationship between the two countries has grown closer over the past 31 years since the first establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, with more than 9,000 Korean companies currently operating in Vietnam and Vietnam is one of Korea's three largest trading partners.

Emphasising the cultural characteristics of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Mr. Lee Cheol Woo said that the province is a tourism treasure in Korea and is the land with the most Korean character, possessing 6 out of 14 World Cultural Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO. In particular, Gyeongsangbuk-do has outstanding cultural strengths when holding all three categories recognized by UNESCO including: World Cultural Heritage (Hahoe Village), World Documentary Heritage (Confucian Book Woodblocks) and Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (Folk Mask Dance).

Recently, the Vietnamese village development project was launched in Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, which will serve as a core exchange centre between the two countries through the formation of a historical space where Vietnamese people living in the province can be proud.

According to Provincial Governor Lee Cheol Woo, this event also provides an exchange space where people can feel Korean culture, enhance cultural intimacy through Kpop and travel culture. In addition, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province makes special efforts in the field of economic trade, including agricultural products, beauty products, and regional visas. The Governor hopes that Vietnamese tourists will pay more attention and love to Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Ho Chi Minh City - Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Festival lasts from 27th-29th November, with many businesses participating, booths in many fields, the festival will bring a "spiritual vitamin" rich in Korean culture to the people of Ho Chi Minh City, while also providing an opportunity for people to directly experience and better understand cultural characteristics, cuisine, art, music of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, home to centuries-old villages, unique traditional festivals and many UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.

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