Delivering the opening remarks, Ha Huy Thong, Vice President of the Viet Nam-Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association, emphasized that Viet Nam-Netherlands relations date back to the early 17th century, when Dutch merchant ships arrived along Viet Nam’s coastline. During the most difficult years of war in Viet Nam, many Dutch citizens, driven by sincere affection, humanitarian spirit, and a sense of international responsibility, stood side by side with the Vietnamese people. These noble acts have become an important foundation for the special friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
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| Ha Huy Thong, Vice President of the Viet Nam-Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association, delivers the opening remarks. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
People-to-people exchange activities have contributed to enriching bilateral Viet Nam-Netherlands relations. The Viet Nam-Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association hopes that the exchange program will further strengthen bonds among its members and Dutch partners in Viet Nam, while spreading inspiring stories and humanistic values of Viet Nam-Netherlands friendship to the wider public, especially the younger generation.
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| Delegates watch the film “A Meeting with President Ho Chi Minh.” (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Within the framework of the program, two documentary films about Viet Nam during wartime - “A Meeting with President Ho Chi Minh” and “The Sky and the Earth” by Dutch directors Joris Ivens and Marceline Loridan-Ivens were screened.
According to the Viet Nam-Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association, the introduction and screening of these two films provide an opportunity to reflect on the power of truth, art, and international solidarity. They also represent a new approach to educating younger generations about the history of friendship between the peoples of Viet Nam and the Netherlands - a history built on empathy, sharing, and concrete actions for humanity, peace, and friendship.
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| The Viet Nam-Netherlands Friendship Exchange was attended by students from universities across Hanoi. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
| Director Joris Ivens (1898-1989) was a Dutch documentary filmmaker renowned for his commitment to the struggle for justice. Marceline Loridan-Ivens (1928-2018), his wife and close collaborator, was also a director who worked alongside him on numerous projects in Viet Nam. Together, they used the cinematic lens to document and disseminate the truth about national liberation struggles around the world. The documentary “A Meeting with President Ho Chi Minh” captures a reception hosted by President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong for military soldiers. “The Sky and the Earth” is a documentary that directly reflects the daily life and resilient spirit of the people of northern Viet Nam under the intense bombardment of war. |
Source: Vietnamtimes
