Hanoi (VNA) – The Indian Embassy in Vietnam inaugurated an Indian culturalcentre in Hanoi on the evening of April 20, as part of activities marking thetwo countries’ 45-year diplomatic ties (January 7, 1972-2017) and 10-yearstrategic partnership (2007-2017).
Theinauguration ceremony featured traditional dances of India performed byVietnamese, who were trained at the centre.
Speakingat the event, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh,who is in a 4-day visit to Vietnam, thanked the Vietnamese Government and theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for facilitating the Indian Embassy toopen the centre.
Hesaid the birth of the centre is a proof of the growing Vietnam – India ties,which he described as dating back more than 2,000 years, when Indian monkstravelled to Vietnam to promote Buddhism.
TheIndian Cultural Centre will contribute to the preservation and promotion ofheritage and values cherished by both nations, the official noted.
DeputyMinister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai said the centre hasaffirmed effective cultural cooperation between Vietnam and India andcontributes to strengthening bilateral friendship and strategic partnership.
Thefacility will introduce Indian cultural features, such as dances and yoga, toVietnamese people, and boost cultural exchanges and tourism, he added.-VNA