MOCST delegation led by Deputy Minister Ho An Phong had a meeting with the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic
Vietnam and Czech Republic deepen bilateral ties through cultural exchange, tourism collaboration, and shared initiatives ahead of their 75th anniversary.
On 26th June (local time), in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of a working trip to three European countries, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong led the Vietnamese delegation to have a meeting with Deputy Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic David Kaspar. This important event aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism between the two countries.
The Vietnamese delegation included Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Ms. Tran Hai Van, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Deputy Chief of the Office of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST); and Mr. Nguyen Hoang Cam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet.
At the meeting, MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong expressed his sincere thanks to the Czech Ministry of Culture for the warm welcome and emphasized the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, the two countries that have consistently supported each other on various international platforms. The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, a testament to the strong and enduring ties built over generations.
Overview of the meeting (Photo: TITC)
The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, numbering nearly 100,000 people, continues to play a vital role in fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two nations. The Deputy Minister highlighted that Vietnam is prioritizing cultural development as a spiritual pillar of society and an internal driving force for sustainable development of the country.
Vietnam and the Czech Republic signed a cooperation agreement in culture, education, science, youth, and sports in 2016. Many cultural and artistic exchange activities have since been successfully organized, such as the “Vietnamese Cultural Year in the Czech Republic” (2015), the “ASEAN Film Festival in the Czech Republic” (2024), cooperation between the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague (2025), as well as various exhibitions, film weeks, and artistic programs hosted by both sides.
MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong noted that there remains great potential for cooperation, especially in cultural industries and cinema. He proposed expanding exchanges of artistic troupes and cultural experts, jointly organizing bilateral and multilateral cultural events, and strengthening connections between cultural and artistic institutions such as theaters, museums, orchestras, and arts festivals. Vietnam also hopes for Czech support in training high-quality human resources, particularly in film setting design.
MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong invited the Czech’s partners to attend major cultural events in Vietnam such as the Hue Festival, Hanoi International Film Festival, International Puppetry Festival, and International Circus Festival. These prestigious artistic forums attract significant domestic and international interest.
Regarding the proposal to establish a Czech Cultural Center in Vietnam, the Deputy Minister confirmed that the MOCST has received an official diplomatic proposal from the Czech Embassy in Vietnam and is currently coordinating for guidance protocols in accordance with Vietnamese law.
In response, Deputy Minister David Kaspar of the Czech Ministry of Culture highly appreciated the traditional relationship between the two countries and the contribution of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to the country’s development. He also praised Vietnamese cuisine, saying it has become an indispensable part of Czech cultural life.
Deputy Minister Kaspar expressed his ministry’s willingness to support amateur artist training programs, translate Vietnamese literary and artistic works into Czech to widely promote Vietnamese culture to local audiences, and seek financial fundings to support joint art projects and enable Vietnamese artists to perform and engage in cultural exchange.
He also proposed that museums, theatres, art galleries, and musical groups in both countries strengthen cooperation and closely coordinate with the Czech Embassy in Vietnam to expand networking. He encouraged Vietnam to actively participate in annual events in the Czech Republic, such as international festivals of film, music, circus, and theater, which attract large local and international audiences. On this occasion, he extended an invitation for Vietnam to participate in the 16th Film Set Design Festival in the Czech Republic, scheduled in 2027.
Both sides agreed to continue supporting each other in multilateral cultural cooperation forums, especially within the UNESCO framework. The meeting was conducted in a warm and open atmosphere, bringing high expectations for the strong development of Vietnam-Czech cultural cooperation in the near future.