Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Vinh Phuc Provincial Friendship Union Pham Hoang Anh presented flowers to the Spouse of the Foreign Minister and delegates.

The event is to foster solidarity among female officers in foreign affairs, diplomatic spouses of Viet Nam and international friends, thereby contributing to enhancing understanding and connections among nations and people in the international community.

The meeting is also an opportunity to introduce to international friends the Vietnamese culture and people, especially the unique culinary and artistic values of Vinh Phuc province.

To attend the programme there were Madam Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, Spouse of Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Honorary President of the ASEAN Community Women’s Circle of Ha Noi (AWCH); the Country Representative of UN Women in Viet Nam Elisa Fernandez; Ambassadors, Heads of Representatives of international organizations in Ha Noi; Ambassadors' Spouses and representatives of embassies in Viet Nam; female officials of foreign missions in Viet Nam as well as female leaders of departments under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Madam Vu Thi Bich Ngoc said that the meeting was a valuable opportunity to share the joy and pride of women and strengthen the connection.

From Vinh Phuc provincial authorities there were Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Vinh Phuc Provincial Friendship Union Pham Hoang Anh; President of Provincial Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thu Ha; and leaders of relevant departments and agencies of the province.

Speaking at the meeting, Madam Vu Thi Bich Ngoc said that the meeting was a valuable opportunity to share the joy and pride of women and strengthen the connection.

Over 110 years ago, on 8 March 1910, the World Conference on Women in Denmark chose a day to honor women and the movement that promoted equal rights for women. Since then, the world has made great strides in awareness of women’s role. Along with the society’s development, women increasingly assert their roles and leave remarkable legacies in all positions and areas of life.

“The women present here today are policy makers, who are directly participating in political, economic and social activities, and are actively contributing to fostering friendship between nations and peoples in the world”, she said.

The meeting is an opportunity to introduce to international friends the Vietnamese culture and people, especially the unique culinary and artistic values of Vinh Phuc province. In the photo: Delegates learned how to make "Gio" cake, a speciality of Vinh Phuc province.

FM's Spouse emphasised that one of the factors that make a woman's mark is perhaps the ability to connect. In the family, “men build houses, women build homes”. And in the society, women contribute to fostering neighborliness and the sustainability of the community. In this spirit, women's networks have been formed and are playing an increasingly active role in connecting communities for a common purpose.

She said that over the past 7 years since its establishment, the ASEAN Women's Circle of Hanoi (AWCH), with a variety of activities ranging from cultural exchanges, sports, field trips to charity, has become a bridge of friendship and cooperation connecting women from ASEAN countries as well as between ASEAN and international friends.

Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Women’s Committee Nguyen Minh Hang delivered speech at the meeting.

In her remarks, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Women’s Committee Nguyen Minh Hang said that promoting gender equality and striving toward the advancement of women has always been a priority in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s endeavor to strengthen diplomacy.

Looking back over the past 10 years, the percentage of female officers in the Ministry has increased dramatically, from less than 30% to more than 45% today.

This growth is not only reflected in numbers; as the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son remarked, the achievements of the foreign affairs activities were made possible with the substantive and active contribution of female officers and diplomatic spouses, both at home and abroad, Hang said.

The delegates and representatives from Vinh Phuc authorities in a photo session.

According to the Country Representative of UN Women in Viet Nam Elisa Fernandez, there is an increased recognition globally that gender inequality, coupled with climate and environmental crises and disasters, are the two greatest sustainable development challenges of our times, which have worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The women and culture of Viet Nam leave me with the most astonishing impression", she said.

Back in history, women have played an essential role in the formation and development of Viet Nam as a nation. In modern days, Vietnamese women continue to play a vital role in peace and development.

She added that Viet Nam has achieved significant progress in gender equality and the empowerment of women and has shown a strong commitment to improving the status of Vietnamese women in all spheres, from domestic to economic and political arenas, and at all levels. In international relations, Vietnamese women have shown the great capacity and meaningful contribution.

"The women and culture of Viet Nam leave me with the most astonishing impression", the Country Representative of UN Women in Viet Nam Elisa Fernandez said.

The Country Representative of UN Women said since its creation in 2010, UN Women has worked closely with the Government of Viet Nam, partners, and the community to advance gender equality and empowerment of women in Viet Nam, in line with our mandate and national priorities. “no gender equality or sustainable development can be achieved without the meaningful participation of half of the population,” she said.

Delivering the welcoming remarks at the meeting, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Pham Hoang Anh said that, besides focusing on socio-economic development, Vinh Phuc province pays particular attention to promoting international cooperation and people’s diplomacy.

cooperation between Vinh Phuc and Embassies and Representatives of International Organizations in Viet Nam has been continuously expanded in many areas, said Mr. Pham Hoang Anh.

He added that cooperation between Vinh Phuc and Embassies and Representatives of International Organizations in Viet Nam has been continuously expanded in many areas, yielding tangible results for the province’s socio-economic development, and actively contributing to the strengthening of peaceful cooperation and development between Viet Nam and other countries.

"Vinh Phuc wishes to continue receiving the attention and cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassies and international organizations. We hope that you will serve as the bridge connecting Vinh Phuc to potential tourists and investors so that we may work and grow together in all areas, particularly in economy and culture.

Vinh Phuc province pledges to best facilitate the investment of businesses and investors, their effective production and business in Vinh Phuc, with the motto, “investors’ interests are also Vinh Phuc’s interests, entrepreneurs investing in Vinh Phuc are also people of Vinh Phuc”, he said.

The delegates enjoyed "Gio" cake.