Opening door for cultural exchange

Over the past years, besides political and economic diplomacy, Khanh Hoa Province has always focused on cultural diplomacy. This has opened the door for cultural exchange and contributed to the enhancement of solidarity and friendship with other countries.

Destination of friendship

On the occasion of Nha Trang Sea Tourism Festival 2024, director Rahul Bali (India) has visited Nha Trang City and attended some activities within the framework of the festival as well as worked with the locality to scout the locations for his upcoming film called "Love in Vietnam". Reportedly, this is the first co-production film between Vietnam and India. Featuring famous actors of the two countries, the film tells the love story between a Vietnamese woman and an Indian man. Many scenes in the film will be shot in the provinces of Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Phu Yen. The cultural beauties and famous landscape featured in the film are expected to introduce the images of Vietnam and its people to audiences in Vietnam, India and many other countries around the world, which will stimulate tourism of the localities.

India’s folk art troupe performing at Ponagar Temple (Nha Trang City)

According to Madan Mohan Sethi - Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, in the past few years, India and Khanh Hoa Province have engaged in cultural diplomacy through many events drawing a lot of public interest, for example Indian cultural festival titled "Hello Vietnam 2022", with many famous Indian artists and some actors starred in the movie "8-year-old bride", International Yoga Day in Nha Trang with thousands of participants, traditional cultural exchange program between India’s folk art troupe and Khanh Hoa’s actors and artisans at Ponagar Temple, and the activities introducing the province's Bai Choi art at Kulu Dusshera Festival (Kulu City, India) in 2023, etc.

In addition to the cultural exchange with India, Khanh Hoa was also the venue for many other cultural exchange activities with other countries such as Vietnam - Korea cultural exchange festival 2022, launch of French book section at the Provincial Library jointly organized by the International Organization of La Francophonie and the National Library of Vietnam in 2022 and Vietnam - Japan cultural exchange program at Hon Chong tourist attraction on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and Japan (1973 - 2023). Cultural exchange activities were also incorporated within the framework of investment and tourism promotion conferences held in other countries or in Khanh Hoa such as visits to famous local monuments and landscapes and traditional art performances for foreign delegates.

Promoting cultural exchange activities

As reported by Duong Nam Khanh, director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Foreign Affairs, implementing the plan on the cultural diplomacy strategy until 2030 in the province, the province's functional agencies has actively introduced and promoted the images of the province, people, and cultural characteristics of Khanh Hoa to people over the world; expanded cooperation with localities, organizations and individuals from other countries to attract investment resources, promote trade and tourism and develop cultural industry; absorbed the essence of human culture to enrich and deepen the local cultural values. The images of the country and people of Khanh Hoa were introduced and promoted through diplomatic activities, the media, international conferences and seminars, big holidays, and so on. Enhancing cultural exchange and cooperation between the province and foreign organizations and art units is always incorporated in the cooperation agreements.

Music performance performed in the Vietnam - Japan cultural exchange festival held at Hon Chong tourist attraction

Integrating cultural diplomacy into the province's socio-economic development programs is the key to sustaining the impact and relevance of cultural exchange activities. Besides, it requires   enhancing cultural diplomacy and events by involving international guests, especially from regions with long-standing ties to the province and from new overseas partners; combining cultural diplomacy with efforts to attract foreign investments, global visitors and commercial transactions.

Hopefully, with positive activities, Khanh Hoa Province can fulfill its goal of becoming a center of economic-cultural exchange and international cooperation of the south central coastal region in the near future.

Giang Dinh
Translated by H.N