HCMC – The Indian Consulate General in HCMC held the grand opening of the second Namaste Vietnam Festival at the Hoa Binh Theater in District 10 on August 12.
The festival, themed “People’s solidarity and warm friendship,” is expected to enhance the solidarity and understanding between the peoples of Vietnam and India, said Ho Xuan Lam, vice president of the HCMC Union of Friendship Organizations.
“Namaste is an expression of greeting in Hinduism and is usually said with a smile on our face. This festival thus resembles a cordial and warm greeting from our Indian friends to the people of HCMC,” he added.
The event takes place in HCMC till August 15, then in Dalat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on August 16. The festival is set to begin in Tuy Hoa City in the south-central province of Phu Yen on August 17.
This week-long event will highlight a wide range of activities, including film screenings, music concerts, business seminars, and trade meetings to provide opportunities for both nations to foster cultural and economic cooperation, said Bali Rahul Sudesh, curator of Namaste Vietnam Festival 2023.
The event was first held in 2022, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-India diplomatic relations.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, consul general of India in HCMC, called for additional efforts to enhance multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and India. He said the two countries’ youth demographics and robust economies can provide momentum driving progress in bilateral relations.
This year’s festival features the participation of well-known filmmakers, singers and artists from India, including Avika Gor, who was cast in the popular TV series Balika Vadhu.
