Launch of Vietnam Festival
20 May 2008
National Heritage Board
140 Hill Street
#03-02 MICA Building
Singapore

Festival commemorates 35 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Singapore

Launch of Vietnam Festival

Singaporeans (and visitors) can indulge in the cultural richness and splendour of Vietnam Festival from April to July 2008. Featuring 34 exhibitions, events and promotions across 14 museums, art galleries and F&B outlets nationwide, the four month long celebration aims to showcase both the ancient and modern aspects of Vietnamese art, heritage and culture.

This event was held in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Vietnam. The idea to stage a Vietnam Festival in Singapore was first mooted after the signing on 9 April 2007 of a Cultural Heritage Co-operation Memorandum of Understanding between Mr. Michael Koh, Chief Executive Officer of NHB and Dr. Dang Van Bai from Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem were the Guest of Honour at the launch of Vietnam Festival at the Asian Civilisations Museum. He was hosted by Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo.

DPM Pham unveiled a heritage marker dedicated to Ho Chi Minh – the father of modern Vietnam at ACM Green under the ‘Friends to Our Shores’ series of historic markers.

Said Mr. Koh: “Vietnam Festival aims to bring Vietnamese art, culture and history alive through an exciting calendar of thematic exhibitions and unique events in Singapore’s museums, art galleries and other outlets. Participants can get to see, eat, shop, play and discuss Vietnam through a wide-ranging programme covering films, forums, fashion, food, folk art and even fauna! Through this, we hope to showcase that Vietnam is not only a fast growing and modernising country, but a culturally rich and fascinating partner and friend in ASEAN.”

Singapore and Vietnam are members of ASEAN and Singapore has become one of the biggest foreign investment partners of Vietnam. Country-focused cultural extravaganzas such as the Vietnam Festival seek to strengthen Singapore’s positioning as a cultural gateway connecting the region to the world. In celebrating of the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic relations, Vietnam shall also conduct a wide range of arts and cultural activities in Vietnam to further promote Singapore as a destination country.

For more information, log on to: www.vietnamfestival.sg

The Official Launch @ Vietnam Festival (Starting from Left to Right): Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman of NHB, Dr. Kenson Kwok, Director of ACM, Ms. Priscylla Shaw, Chairman of ACM, Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh, Vietnam Ambassador to Singapore, Mr. Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Mr. George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Koh Seow Chuan, Chairman of SAM, Mr. Michael Koh, Chief Executive Officer of NHB and Mr. Kwok Kian Chow, Director of SAM.

Text Edited by Ai San Yip. Information Courtesy of National Heritage Board. All Rights Reserved.