Nearly 500 women diplomats, spouses of ambassadors and the diplomatic corps joined an exchange program titled “Exploring Xu Doai Cultural Space” held in Hanoi on April 13.

Nearly 500 women diplomats, spouses of ambassadors and the diplomatic corps, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his spouse, attended the program held in Hanoi on April 13. Photos: Nguyen Hong/Baoquocte

Xu Doai, or the western and northwestern districts of Hanoi, has been an expansive land to the west of Thang Long imperial city and is known as the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilization. Here, the Hung King founded the country and established the capital. The region is also well-known as the motherland of many talented individuals and the guardian of numerous tangible and intangible cultural treasures. It encloses Son Tay Town and the districts of Quoc Oai, Thach That, Ba Vi, and Dan Phuong.

The participants are Vietnamese diplomats, former diplomats and their spouses, and international diplomats and their spouses, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his wife Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, who is the Honorable Chairwomen of the ASEAN Women's Community in Hanoi (AWCH). 

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said: “I think that diplomats and their spouses will find this to be a practical and appealing playground where they can experiment, explore, connect, share, and foster global friendship and solidarity.” 

Romani’s Ambassador to Vietnam Cristina Romila, the first Romanian female ambassador to Vietnam, highly appreciated the connection, saying that the program helps promote the engagement of female diplomats in work and life and friendship among the diplomats and spouses working in Vietnam. On this occasion, she praised Vietnam for its progress in empowering women.     

The program, which included art performances, aims to provide visitors with knowledge of Xu Doai or Doai land was inhabited by ancient Vietnamese people, famous for its treasure of unique cultural heritage. 

Diplomats shared about foreign affairs, launched the “Diplomatic Garden”, experienced Northern countryside markets, folk games, and cuisine of the three regions of Vietnam, toured the water puppet museum, explored the culture of the Red River basin, and enjoyed the real-scene show Tinh hoa Bac Bo or the Quintessence of Tonkin, the show catches audiences by its stage scale, modern techniques, and a large number of performers. 

The program opens on April 13.

The 4,300-meter square meter stage lying at the foot of Thay Pagoda in Sai Son Commune, Quoc Oai District, about 28 km from the center of Hanoi, provides performances supported by technology of sound, lighting, images, modern equipment, nature storytelling, and the vibrant spiritual life of the ancient Vietnamese community. 

The Quintessence of Tonkin offers viewers an unforgettable and distinctive look into the Red River Delta, the beating heart of Northern Vietnam, encompassing everything from music and poetry to Buddhism and beliefs. 

This show is a nuanced fusion of six distinct facets of Tonkin culture: music and painting, peace and harmony, nostalgia, poetry, Buddhism, joy and festivities, and peace and harmony. Sai Son native performers will transport you to a bygone era when you could live in Vietnam’s ancient countryside and experience the land's sacred atmosphere and cultural crystallization through thousands of years of written history.

Hanoitimes