Special cultural gifts from Vietnam - Tropical Region to Russian friends

On the afternoon of July 25, 2025, in Moscow, the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Cultural Festival with the theme "Vietnam - Colors from the tropics" and a series of cultural diplomacy activities in Russia took place to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relations.

This year's Cultural Festival event became special with the participation of Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam; Mr. Le Hai Binh, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Dang Minh Khoi, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly delivered the opening speech at the Festival.

On the Russian side, there were Mr. Andrey Yatskin, First Vice Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia; Ms. Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow; Mr. Andrey Malayshev, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia, Mr. Gennady Bezdetko, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam. Also attending were Ambassadors of countries to the Russian Federation, a large number of Russians and the Vietnamese community in Russia.

The softness and sophistication in the approach and transmission of messages were seen right from the artistic performances of the Opening Ceremony in a new spirit of cultural diplomacy . The most distinctive features of Vietnamese traditional culture were opened as sharing the common sympathy of the two countries - connecting with traditional values is the way to firmly move into the future, in which, as the Madam said: "After 3/4 of a century, the historical imprints of Vietnam - Russia friendship are beautiful memories, imprinted in the minds and hearts of many generations of people of the two countries".

Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly and Vietnamese and Russian delegates at the Festival Opening Ceremony

The fact that the General Secretary's wife pays close attention to every detail of the activities, from artistic identification to the way of expression aimed at the Russian public... has conveyed the message about the importance of the Vietnamese high-ranking leaders in building the depth of friendly relations with Russia, not only at the Government level, but also at the level of people-to-people exchange, emotions, culture...

Before an unprecedented special program at the symbolic square of a comprehensive strategic partner country, a great and loyal friend of Vietnam, the General Secretary's wife paid special attention to every detail of the Festival. An hour before the Opening Ceremony, the wife once again visited and gave profound comments on each space of the Festival. The detailed adjustments from the wife all showed respect for the value of Vietnamese culture and the Russian people's perception of Vietnam.

Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly introduces Vietnamese lacquer products to Russian guests.

Fashion designer Vu Viet Ha was extremely excited and surprised. He said: "I hung a carefully ironed ao dai on a rack prepared by the Organizing Committee and ready to welcome visitors. When the Lady visited, she suggested that the entire rack should be placed on a platform, or a carpet, or a background to show that it was respected, instead of being placed on the floor like a table or chair. Indeed, when placed on a traditional bamboo blind, the visual effect and the sense of respect were clearly different."

But the most special and sophisticated part of this cultural diplomacy program is probably the lacquer collection of the LáArt lacquer brand. Russian guests applauded when they heard the introduction of the collection displayed at the Festival, which the First Lady spent a lot of time directly designing and inspiring artisans to create products specifically for this Festival to introduce Vietnamese culture and the Vietnam - Russia friendship. These are many artistic jewelry bracelets, rings, and earrings. In particular, there are products associated with the identity of Russia and the personal emotional imprint of the First Lady.

Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly and Vietnamese guests in front of the Tam Quan gate at the Festival

The leaders of the Russian side were surprised with a lacquer box with 3 stacked compartments in the colors of the Russian flag with the Lady's own logo attached. The Lady directly introduced each product in detail to the Russian friends: "I want to show my respect and love for Russia, this is a product made specifically for this Festival".

With another collection, the Lady shared: "I chose the color of tropical sunlight as the main color, I want to 'bring the sunlight' of my country and the flowers of the tropics here, it shows warm, eternal feelings, it is so happy to see the colors of Vietnam blending with the colors here".

In particular, hidden next to the tropical flower decorations, the Lady revealed: "You can see the small logo consisting of 4 L letters which are the first letters of the names of my family members, the letters intertwined together meaning connection, this must first be an artistic detail, in this case, more specifically, it carries an additional meaning as our thanks to our Russian friends".

Mr. Dung - Director of LaArt shared: "We all see that the Lady has devoted a lot of time and effort to this product.

Russian guests are especially interested in Vietnamese water puppetry.

The participation of the Lady brings sophistication and softness to the designs; rich layers, luxury and grace. It makes each product of LáArt a dialogue between heritage and the present - expressing the desire to bring national culture closer to the world, with a new but emotional visual language. You can see the boxes in the colors of the Russian flag as a modern design on a traditional lacquer product".

There was a beautiful cultural gesture at the last minute of the opening ceremony, according to information from the entourage of the Deputy Mayor of Moscow, it was time for her to have another work schedule. After knowing that information, the Madam showed respect for the Deputy Mayor's work schedule, she tactfully asked: "We have prepared a very special Ao Dai performance with the participation of Russian girls, if you have time, can you watch it with me?" ; The Deputy Mayor, despite her busy schedule, did not hesitate at all, answering: "Of course, I am ready to watch it with you right now!" .

Vietnamese Ao Dai Show

The performance was only about 5 minutes but it brought an effect and a message that could not be more beautiful about friendship and cultural integration. Any Vietnamese person present there would be filled with a feeling of emotion and pride.

Audiences experience typical Vietnamese musical instruments such as gongs, T'rung, etc.

In the vast space, cool breezes blew in from the Square, the clear and romantic sound of "Ha Noi - 12 Flower Seasons" was sung by young singer Bao Yen, gracefully interwoven with an extremely beautiful fashion show by 15 Russian girls wearing traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai, splendid, gently gliding before the witness of Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, high-ranking Russian officials, the media and a large number of Moscow people, it was a more beautiful ending to a cultural event Opening Ceremony. More than a Festival of colors, here converged the most beautiful things of Vietnam and of the loyal friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/nhung-mon-qua-van-hoa-dac-biet-tu-viet-nam-mien-nhet-doi-toi-ban-be-nuoc-nga-20250726205132967.htm