Edited by Anna Popper
The Embassy of Vietnam in Hungary, in cooperation with Zalaegerszeg city’s authorities and Vietnamese associations in Hungary, organised a Day of Vietnamese Culture on the 6 May 2023, which attracted nearly 3,000 visitors, including hundreds of Vietnamese nationals living in Hungary.
At the opening ceremony, the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Hungary, Her Excellency Nguyễn Thị Bích Thảo said that this large-scale event is taking place in the city of Zalaegerszeg – which houses the only monument of President Ho Chi Minh in Central Eastern Europe – and we are celebrating the 133rd birthday of the late President Ho Chi Minh (19 May 1890 – 2 September 1969) and the 5th anniversary of the Vietnam-Hungary Comprehensive Partnership.
The Ambassador took the opportunity to introduce today’s Vietnam to the local people, which has a dynamic economy, rich traditions and vibrant culture, and offers promising business and investment opportunities for Hungarian business actors. Viet Nam is an attractive tourist destination with world-renowned natural wonders, breath-taking sceneries and mesmerising landscapes, among many other unique treasures.
The Head of the Diplomatic Mission also conveyed her gratitude to the leaders and the people of Zalaegerszeg for supporting, preserving and taking care of the memorial of Uncle Ho’s (“Hó apó” affectionately in Hungarian ) for almost 50 years.
The local organiser expressed appreciation to the Viet Nam Embassy in Hungary for organising the Vietnamese Culture Day, which became a great festival for the people of Zalaegerszeg.
The mayor of the city, Mr. Zoltán Balaicz congratulated Viet Nam on its Doi Moi (renewal). The Remaking of Vietnam reform policies were launched in 1986 and have brought profound changes, strong and miraculous development to the country, making it an important partner of Hungary. Relations between the two countries have expanded and developed significantly in many fields.
He voiced his belief that the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Hungary will grow stronger in the coming period, adding that cooperation between the Zalaegerszeg and Vietnam will be expanded in the fields of economy, culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
During the event, visitors enjoyed the colourful festival full of activities, including Vietnamese folk dances and songs performed by the community, a photo exhibition on craft villages, mountain landscapes, idyllic and peaceful countryside in Vietnam, a Vietnamese traditional costume show, an exhibition showcasing Vietnamese export products and handicrafts, and the tasty specialities of traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy, in collaboration with Vietnamese associations and delegations in Hungary, held a flower offering ceremony to commemorate the 133rd birthday of President Ho Chi Minh at his monument in Zalaegerszeg. His legacy is still alive and honoured in his beloved homeland. The monument was completed in 1976, a year after the end of the war, work of Hungarian sculptor László Marton as a gift from the Hungarian government and people to Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh words are engraved on the back of the pedestal: “Nothing Is More Precious than Independence and Freedom”
The city of Zalaegerszeg is the administrative centre of Zala county in western Hungary, very close to the Slovenian, Austrian and Croatian borders, 220 kilometres west-southwest of Budapest, with more than 60,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in the 13th century and today maintains friendly relations with 17 twin-cities from foreign countries.
Source: Embassy of Viet Nam in Hungary
Photos: https://zalaegerszeg.hu/
