A trade and culture exchange programme among ASEAN nations opened at Ho Chi Minh City’s September 23 Park on April 18^th.

A performance of Vietnamese girls with ao dai (traditional long dress) and conical hats at the exchange programme. (Photo: VNA)

The event, hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, is to mark Vietnam’s 43^rd Reunification Day (April 30^th) and the third founding anniversary of the ASEAN Economic Community.

It also aims to intensify friendship and cooperation between ASEAN countries and international partners and boost Vietnam’s trade, investment, tourism and cultural ties with other nations, especially those from ASEAN.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said over the past 50 years, ASEAN has become a unified community with a common vision and identity.

Easier flow of traffic and frequent economic and cultural activities between members with a population of nearly 630 million people have brought the countries closer, he added.

The exchange programme offers opportunities for people in ASEAN to introduce their cultural and historical values to international friends, bolstering mutual understanding and solidarity and contributing to a sustainable, self-strengthening and dynamic ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

The official voiced his hope that through the event, ASEAN businesses will seek more cooperation and optimise economic benefits brought by the ASEAN Community. He also encouraged ASEAN firms to join hands to create made-in ASEAN products.

The programme, which runs until April 22^nd, includes a fair with more than 110 trade pavilions and some 40 cuisine pavilions.

Art, martial arts, folk games and sport performances are also being held during the event, together with the screening of clips promoting tourism of participating countries and products of enterprises.

Visitors are offered a chance to read books, play folk games and watch don ca tai tu (southern amateur music) and Central Highlands gong performances./.

At the opening day. (Photo: nld.com.vn)

Foreign visitors at cuisine pavilions. (Photo: nld.com.vn)

Playing folk games. (Photo: nld.com.vn)

VNF