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Seoul became Vietnam for the night last Saturday as part of a festival which promoted the nation’s culture and history in Seongdong district.
Vietnamese brides, who married South Korean mean, gave an impressive art performance highlighting the cultural traditions of both countries.
The women, dressed in ao dai traditional long dress and wearing conical hats, performed folk songs.
Park Noh-soo, honorary president of the South Korean-Vietnam Friendship Association (KOVIFA), noted that Vietnam is a friendly neighbor and a strategic cooperation partner of his nation.
“Through this festival, I hope that you will remember Vietnamese girls who were born and grew up in a country that has a rich cultural tradition.
“Everybody should know that relations between South Korea and Vietnam are developing well in all areas, and that Vietnam will be an economic power in the future.
“I hope that this festival is a good chance for local people and multi-cultural families to know more about each other,” said Park, who was formerly his nation’s ambassador to Vietnam.
Vietnamese Minister Counselor Nguyen Manh Dong said: “The festival offers a chance for Korean people to get a better understanding of Korean-Vietnamese families, as well as the cultural tradition, customs and life of the Vietnamese community in South Korea.”
In his welcoming speech, Goh Jae-deuk, head of Seongdong district, confirmed that the local administration pays special attention to the lives of multi-cultural families.
“Together with the development of the friendship and strategic cooperation, the Vietnamese community in South Korea and the Korean community in Vietnam, now numbering more than 130,000, serve as a bridge between the two nations through friendship and blood relationships,” said Goh.
“We will provide the best possible conditions for foreign expatriates, including those from Vietnam, to live, study and work in Seongdong,” he said.
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