The year of cultural diplomacy 2009 was deployed strongly and comprehensively, contributing greatly to the foreign relations programme set out by the Party and State. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem wrote these comments in an article entitled “Milestones in the Year of Cultural Diplomacy 2009.”

The year wrapped up with a series of noteworthy achievements in cultural diplomacy. In May, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the Cham Archipelago and the Ca Mau Cape National Park as world biosphere reserves. In June, Vietnam ’s Nguyen Dynasty wood-blocks were recognised documentary heritage under the Memory of Time programme. Three months later, traditional Bac Ninh love duet singing and “ca tru” (ceremonial songs) were named as part of mankind’s intangible cultural heritage, he wrote.

October marked another milestone in Vietnam ’s cultural diplomacy when the country was elected to the UNESCO Executive Council for its 2009-2013 term, and a resolution was adopted on participating in the celebrations of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. Following two diplomatic sector conferences organised in 2006 and 2008, cultural diplomacy has a firm foothold in the nation’s foreign affairs and has fostered diplomacy in politics and economics as well. Amid the adverse impact of the global economic crisis, cultural diplomacy has been actively and creatively undertaken in synergy with political and economic diplomacy as well as overseas Vietnamese-related affairs, helping to create a firm foundation for the country’s comprehensive diplomacy.

Entering 2010-a year promising a series of important events for the country and the diplomatic sector in particular-cultural diplomacy needs to step up the promotion of Vietnam’s image and its harmonisation with political and economic diplomacy. With these achievements obtained, the year of cultural diplomacy not only resulted in milestones in the diplomatic sector’s general success, but also created an impetus for the sector to further increase mutual understanding and friendly ties between Vietnam and the rest of the world in future, as well as promote the image of a beautiful, welcoming nation with limitless potential to international friends, the deputy PM added.

To review the “Year of Cultural Diplomacy 2009”, on February 5, the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism jointly organised a meeting with the participation of ambassadors and chief representatives of foreign missions in Vietnam . At the event, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem presented the Foreign Ministry’s certificates of merit to the Ambassadors of China, the Republic of Korea, Venezuela, Laos, Malaysia, Italy, and Morocco, and Panama chargé d'affaires in recognition of their contributions to activities of cultural diplomacy undertaken by Vietnam in 2009. (VNA)

More info: http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/060210/domestic_mi.htm