Vietnamese culture leaves strong impression on international friends at World Youth Festival 2024 in Russia

The Vietnamese pavilion left a strong impression on international visitors at an exhibition held within the framework of the World Youth Festival 2024, which is currently taking place in Sochi, Russia.

Coming from the Russian city of Tula, Russian youngster Liza and her friends are excited to attend the World Youth Festival 2024 and explore new things from different culture.

Amidst a space covered with sounds and cultural colours, she was attracted by the beautiful sound of the Vietnamese ‘dan nhi’ (two-string fiddle).

While feeling the melodies she had never heard before in her life, Liza told the members the Vietnam Music and Dance Theatre that she wanted to try playing the instrument.

“Your instrument is truly unique. It reminds me of a violin,” Liza said, saying that it’s interesting to hold a ‘dan nhi’ in her hand and learn to play it. “Thank you so much for this unique experience," Liza expressed.

Liza is just one of the many international friends who have visited the Vietnamese pavilion at the World Youth Festival 2024.

The space displays more than 100 photos, documents, and handicraft products introducing the beauty of the country and its people, as well as world natural heritage and intangible culture of Vietnam.

While admiring the exhibits, some visitors exclaimed “Vietnam is great” or “I love Vietnam”.

The blue shirt and the of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union also attracted the attention of international youngsters. Many of them got to understand more about the history of the union and social movements and activities launched by Vietnamese youth.

Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of the Vietnam Youth Museum under the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, the organiser of the Vietnamese pavilion, said he was happy and proud that the Vietnamese space drew strong interest and appreciation from international visitors.

“International friends highly valued the display at the Vietnamese pavilion,” he said, adding that songs, dances, and instrumental performances by artists from the Vietnam Music and Dance Theatre won the hearts and attention of the audience.

Dressed in a graceful and elegant Vietnamese Ao Dai, Hoang Nga felt every musical note while playing Vietnamese ‘ti ba’ (zither). She and other members of the Vietnam Music and Dance Theatre were surrounded by the audience, who wanted to experience Vietnamese musical instruments.

“We were touched by the warm welcome and sentiment of international friends,” Nga said. “This is my first time coming to Russia. I feel very lucky and happy to be here,” she shared.

On March 4, the Lao delegation visited the Vietnamese pavilion. The two sides also took the occasion to review the outcomes of youth activity exchanges between the two countries in recent years and discuss orientations to further promote their cooperation in the coming time.

The Lao delegation visit the Vietnam pavilion at World Youth Festival 2024

With the theme of connecting young people around the world to build a common future, the 2024 World Youth Festival hopes to create an open space for young people to meet, share, and raise awareness about issues of concern to young people in the current situation.

The 2024 World Youth Festival is taking place in the Sirius Federal Territory in southern Russia from March 1 to 7, attracting the participation of about 20,000 people from more than 180 countries and territories around the world.

With the theme of connecting young people around the world to build a common future, a multipolar, fair world based on cooperation and balance of interests, the 2024 World Youth Festival hopes to create an open space for young people to meet, share, and raise awareness about issues of concern to young people in the current situation.

Vietnam sent more than 100 delegates to participate in the festival, conveying the message of peace, integration, and development.

Through this festival, Vietnam has an opportunity to promote the country's image as well as its socio-economic development achievements after more than 45 years of national unification and more than 30 years of innovation.

The event also offers a good chance to introduce the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and Vietnam's youth organisations, as well as the role of youth and youth union organisations in the work of building and protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.