On January 16, 2025, the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City, in coordination with the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association, organized a meeting and exchange program with ASEAN Consuls General at the Friendship Tower building, 31 Le Duan, under the theme “Welcome Spring 2025 – Creativity, Connectivity, Responsibility.” The event aimed to further strengthen the good relationships and coordinate activities for 2025.
The program began in a lively and warm atmosphere with a unique artistic performance. The emotional solo performance of the song “Hello Vietnam” on the Đàn Kìm, played by Master Mai Thanh Sơn, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Literature and Arts, left a deep impression on the attendees.
In the warm and friendly atmosphere of the gathering, students from the Department of Traditional Music, FPT University Branch in Ho Chi Minh City, presented outstanding performances on traditional musical instruments. Among these, the solo performance on the đàn Tỳ Bà and the ASEAN anthem ensemble were highlights, adding richness and making the program more memorable.
To provide the guests with a deeper insight into the culture of Tea during Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year, the program was honored to invite Dr. Bùi Hữu Dược, former Director of the Buddhist Affairs Department, Government Department of Religious Affairs and an expert in the art and cultural significance of Vietnamese tea. Dr. Dược’s talk not only depicted the refined beauty and humanistic meaning of the tea-drinking tradition during Tết but also helped evoke the profound traditional values embedded in the national cultural life, creating a warm and meaningful highlight for the program.
For the Vietnamese people, tea is not just a familiar beverage but also a cultural symbol deeply intertwined with the lives of individuals. From childhood, children are bathed with tea leaves as a symbol of purity at the beginning of life. As they grow, the Vietnamese continue to embrace tea, not only as a refreshing drink but also as an essential part of daily life and labor. Tea accompanies the Vietnamese from birth to death, with the final ritual bath also using tea water to bid farewell. Especially during the traditional Tết holiday, tea plays an incredibly important role. It is an indispensable offering on the ancestral altar, expressing respect and gratitude. At the same time, tea is also a delicate gift for guests, reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the host. Tea is present in the lives of every Vietnamese, appearing everywhere, and during Tết, it is offered as a unique ritual to ancestors. – Dr. Bùi Hữu Dược shared in his speech.
For this reason, the program cleverly invited guests to enjoy fragrant cups of hot tea, infused with the traditional flavors of Vietnam. Not only did the guests savor the tea, but they also had the opportunity to experience delicate traditional cakes, generously sponsored by Tea Master Ngô Thị Thanh Tâm, a representative from the International Tea Masters Academy (MTG). This combination not only created an atmosphere rich in cultural identity but also conveyed profound spiritual values.
In her opening speech at the event, Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thị Hồng Xuân, President of the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, expressed deep gratitude to the ASEAN Consuls General and distinguished guests for taking the time to attend the event. She emphasized her appreciation for the spirit of close cooperation and support from the ASEAN Consuls General throughout the past year. Additionally, Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thị Hồng Xuân expressed hope that the friendly relations between Vietnam and the ASEAN countries in the region, as well as with all international friends, would continue to be strengthened and developed even more in the coming years.
At the same time, Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thị Hồng Xuân extended her warm congratulations to the Consul General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of Malaysia assuming the role of ASEAN Chair for 2025. She expressed confidence that his tenure would be a period of creativity and success, contributing to the realization of the vision for a stronger and more sustainable ASEAN community. With the theme ASEAN – Malaysia 2025: Inclusive and Sustainable, she believes that the spirit of unity and cooperation will propel ASEAN further, making it a harmonious, prosperous, and culturally rich community on the global stage.
In his speech, Mr. Firdauz Othman, the Consul General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City, currently holding the ASEAN Chairmanship, shared: “The friendship between Vietnam and Malaysia began in 1973, and we celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two countries in 2023. The relationship between Vietnam and Malaysia has also been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the visit of General Secretary Tô Lâm in November 2024. Upgrading the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries will facilitate the promotion of bilateral trade and elevate it to new heights.“
“Looking towards the future, this year Malaysia assumes the role of ASEAN Chair, and we expect to bring about new achievements in upgrading and developing the friendship and economic ties between ASEAN countries,” affirmed Mr. Firdauz Othman.
Participating in the program, Anchay TV was once again honored to accompany and take on the media role for this meaningful gathering. The positive contributions of Anchay TV over the past year were sincerely acknowledged and highly appreciated by the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association, especially in promoting the message and enhancing the image of the activities organized by the Association.
On this occasion, Anchay TV would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association, especially to Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thị Hồng Xuân, for their trust and invaluable support. Being chosen as the media partner is not only a great honor but also a source of motivation for the team to continue dedicating efforts, contributing to spreading the positive values that the Association aims for.
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