A Night of Unity Celebrates Viet Nam-Malaysia Ties

In her opening remark, Professor Dr. Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malaya (Universiti Malaya – UM), emphasized the power of cultural exchange in promoting understanding and unity between the two countries.

Professor Dr. Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malaya (second from the right), and Vietnamese cultural experts, artisans, and entrepreneurs. Photo: Hang Linh/VNA)

She highlighted that the program had been meticulously and richly curated, featuring traditional cuisine, vibrant artistic performances from Viet Nam and Malaysia, and interactions with cultural experts. These activities allow the people of both countries to share commonalities and explore the unique aspects of each other’s cultures.

According to Professor Lian, the event serves as an important opportunity for learning and connection. She expressed her belief that education extends beyond textbooks and classrooms to include an appreciation for cultural diversity, which shapes the world and helps build stronger, more compassionate communities.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, Deputy Ambassador Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh noted that after more than half a century of diplomatic relations, Viet Nam and Malaysia have been building a special friendship based on mutual trust and understanding. Cooperation has been developed in many areas, including cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

A traditional Vietnamese dance performance. (Photo: Hang Linh/VNA)

The diplomat expressed her hope that in the coming time, the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics (FLL) and the University of Malaysia will continue to maintain traditional cultural exchange activities to promote the image and culture of both countries, thereby creating opportunities for cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations.

Representing the Malaysia-Viet Nam Friendship Association, Secretary-General Nguyen Chi Cuong expressed his honor in fulfilling the association’s mission of building and strengthening the friendship between the two countries, aiming to create a reliable partnership that shares benefits and promises a brighter future for the younger generation.

At the event, cultural performances were interspersed with acts from both Vietnamese and Malaysian artists. The opening performance "Moi nuoc, Moi trau" showcased the Quan ho folk song, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage, leaving a strong impression on Malaysian and international friends.

Traditional Malaysian dance Tarian Zapin. (Photo: Hang Linh/VNA)

Several traditional Malaysian dances, including Tarian Zapin and Tarian Joget, were performed to lively music, with elegant movements reflecting the sophistication and refinement of Malaysia’s traditional culture.

The University of Malaya ranks among the top 65 universities worldwide and has trained many of Malaysia’s political leaders. The university currently hosts over 3,500 international students from more than 90 countries. Its academic programs are globally recognized and accredited across more than 200 fields. Established in 1972, the FLL was initially a language center and has since become a faculty for language courses in Malaysia.

Vietnamese Language and Culture is an elective subject for students. The faculty once had a Vietnamese lecturer and professor who taught here for a long time until her retirement in 2017, leading to a hiatus in Vietnamese language teaching.

Vietnamese and Malaysian dishes are presented by members of the Malaysia-Viet Nam Friendship Association at the cultural exchange. (Photo: Hang Linh/VNA)

In 2023, Vietnamese language and culture teaching resumed after the university appointed a Vietnamese linguistics master, teacher Nguyen Thuy Thien Huong. Over the years, the FLL and the MVFA have made continuous efforts to build a strong cultural foundation to bring Vietnamese culture closer to Malaysian friends, and vice versa.

Source: Vietnamtimes