ASEAN - Colours of Cultures

Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, Emeritus Chairwoman of ASEAN Women's Circle of Hanoi, said this meeting has particular significance as the celebration of the 49^th founding anniversary of ASEAN in the warmest atmosphere of solidarity, friendship and cohesion of a single community. In the past 49 years, with the fervent support of international friends and partners and tireless efforts, ASEAN today has become the leading light of extensive, cohesive, dynamic and self-improving regional connectivity model. Those outstanding achievements have created confidence in joint efforts for the formation of ASEAN for peace, stability, cooperation and development, thus contributing to maintaining the Asia - Pacific as a driving force of growth and linkage in the 21st century.

 

She added that faith in the power of solidarity and unity in diversity is the key to link Southeast Asian peoples under the ASEAN common roof. The very similarities in histories, traditions and cultures have created empathy and closeness. Diversity and distinctiveness complement and increase cooperation needs, establish a compelling common identity of the ASEAN community, and bring ASEAN values to extend far beyond the region.

 

Ambassador Nga added that this year's exhibition, which features images of countries, peoples and products imbued with the national identity of each ASEAN member, is a vivid picture of diversified and colourful cultures of the region.

 

Bui Thi Hoa, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women's Union, said that culture is one of the most effective factors that bring peoples and nations closer together, and cultural exchanges like this will help women in ASEAN member countries to become closer, thus boosting their links, friendship and mutual understanding, while promoting the role of women’s organisations in the communities in each country and the ASEAN Community. In addition, the “ASEAN - Colours of Cultures” exhibition will also raise the voices of ASEAN women expressing the desire for a diversified but unified ASEAN Community, an ASEAN walking with the world towards the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially gender equality goal and peaceful social construction. With this exhibition, we will have the opportunity to discover and learn about unique and indigenous cultures of each nation in the ASEAN family where there are always the images of women and their positive contributions to the development of each country and the entire community, she noted.

 

ASEAN countries brought characteristic handicrafts made by ASEAN women to the event. On this occasion, Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, and spouses of ambassadors of ASEAN countries in Vietnam also gave charity gifts to some poor women in Hanoi. The donation came from money collected from gastronomic fairs attended by AWCH.