Vietnam and Romania established diplomatic ties on February 3, 1950. Since then the bilateral relations have thrived in many aspects. However, the cooperation thus far is incommensurate with the potential and expectations of both countries and needs to be strengthened in the coming time.
Romania has many beautiful landscapes, historical and cultural heritages. Many architectural buildings, ancient churches, national parks and museums have been preserved and promoted. Recently, many cultural cooperation projects between Vietnam and Rumania have been signed. In 1997, Vietnamese Culture and Information Minister Tran Hoan paid an official visit to Romania. In 2005, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam successfully organised “Vietnam Cultural Week” in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Since 2009, big Romanian travel companies like Marshal Tourism and Happy Tour started tours from Romania to Vietnam.
Besides, many other activities have been carried by both countries like Romanian arts performances in Vietnam, Romanian Film Week in Vietnam, and photo exhibitions in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Especially, in 2011, to celebrate the 61st anniversary of diplomatic relations, with the approval of Ho Chi Minh City’s government, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in cooperation with the Romanian Embassy in Vietnam held a thematic exhibition entitled "Vietnam - Romania Friendship” at the War Remnants Museum from September 30, 2011 to October 31, 2011. In 2014, the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Palace hosted the 96th anniversary of Romanian Great Union Day (December 1, 1918 - 2014). These events have confirmed the time-honoured bilateral friendship and cooperation relations in economy, politics, culture, education, defence and other aspects for the interests of the two peoples in the wartime and in the peacetime with the cause of socialist construction in Vietnam.
Romania is very famous for its vast experience in education, training and most key industries such as research, industry, construction, architecture, oil - gas and agriculture. Vietnam and Romania have also focused on deepening and broadening education and training ties. Nearly 4,000 Vietnamese people have studied and graduated in Romania in the past six decades. The two governments have kept exchanging ten full-time scholarships for master and doctoral studies. In addition, Vietnamese students also have the opportunity to study in Romania by winning scholarships from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eugen Ionescu Fund and self-financing their studies at world-class universities where curricula in Romanian, English or French are in use. Tuitions are also much lower fees than other countries.
Particularly, in October 2006, PetroVietnam of Vietnam and Petroconsult of Romania signed a contract on personnel training and commissioning of the Dung Quat oil refinery. According to the deal, 60 technicians from the first oil refinery in Vietnam went to Romania for training in one year and 56 Romanian specialists came to work at the refinery during the commissioning phase. Besides, Romania also trained oil and gas engineers for PetroVietnam from 2003 to 2009.
Vietnam and Romania have many similarities in economic transition and international economic integration and have participated in regional integration. In 2015, the two countries will celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This is a good opportunity for organising many practical events to boost the image of both countries and their current potential, promote multifaceted cooperation and strengthen trade. In the coming time, some cultural, sports and tourism cooperation projects will be carried out to further foster bilateral ties.
Thu Ha
Vietnamese
