Sujatha Ramachandra (first from left) during a visit to the pomelo garden - an experimental tourism model associated with typical local products in Luc Ngan, Bac Giang.

Experiences and impressions

How long have you participated in the activities of the ASEAN Women's Circle of Ha Noi (AWCH)? Which activity or event made you the most impressive?

My family and I arrived in amazing and beautiful Viet Nam in Feb 2021. It was our first adventure to Viet Nam and we were very excited yet also anxious, as COVID-19 was still raging across the world.

My warm welcome and immersion into the ASEAN Women's Circle of Ha Noi (AWCH) was seamless and heartwarming. March 19 heralded my first activity, visiting the Rose Garden. I was deeply impressed by the beauty of the gardens. I had the opportunity to enjoy rose tea and cakes, picking and splitting petals to make rose extract and best of all meet and interact with the lovely ladies of the AWCH.

Sujatha Ramachandra (right) with her self-designed tea cup when visiting Chu Dau pottery production facility in Hai Duong province.

The cultural trips and excursions organised by the AWCH have allowed me a glimpse into the rich history and heritage Viet Nam offers.

One amazing and awe inspiring outing took me to Chu Dau pottery village. I was so delighted to learn about the rich heritage of Vietnamese pottery and the beauty and creativity in each Chu Dau product. Each piece is unique in its style, colour of glaze and sophisticated patterns. Apart from falling in love with the beautiful pieces, my personal takeaway from here was a lovely teacup that I designed.

The cultural and traditional craft villages of Tho Ha, Bac Giang were an eye opener to the making of the dry thin rice papers used for wrapping delicious spring rolls.

We enjoyed the experience of wrapping our own spring rolls thereafter savouring every bite! In Luc Ngan, Bac Giang luscious sweet and juicy oranges and pomelos, unique to this province, greeted us.

Over the past 6 years since establishment, in your opinion, how has AWCH contributed to promote the image of countries, people and culture of ASEAN member countries? In the coming time, what should we do to enhance mutual understanding among ASEAN countries as well as between Viet Nam and Singapore?

The AWCH plays an important and integral role in immersing the ASEAN community into the rich culture and heritage Viet Nam offers.

Singapore and Viet Nam share a strong and substantive relationship on all levels. The foundation of our relationship remains strong people-to-people bonds.

I look forward to intensifying efforts to further strengthen such bonds, especially amongst the younger generation from both sides.

I know from my own children’s experiences, that they are keen to learn more and experience first-hand the history and rich culture of Viet Nam.

One area that I personally feel we can do better is encouraging Singaporean young people to learn Vietnamese. It's only through language that we can truly appreciate and understand each other. My own children are learning Vietnamese.

More importantly, Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) started the ‘Knowing Asia’ initiative in 2020, with the aim of equipping our students with the knowledge, aptitude, and skills to engage effectively with our friends across ASEAN. MOE is now developing conversational language resources to encourage students to learn the languages of their friends in ASEAN.

For a better future

What is your assessment on women’s role in ASEAN development?

The role of women in ASEAN has made tremendous strides. A growing number of women today are participating in and taking on more leadership positions in the male-dominated tech industry, politics, and sports, among other fields.

As a proud mother of three young women, I strongly believe we all can, and must do better in terms of appreciating our women, valuing their contributions and treating them equally.

Sujatha Ramachandra (second from right) and AWCH members visit cultural and traditional craft villages in Bac Giang where she admires the making of the dry thin rice papers.

Is there any Vietnamese woman that makes you impressed the most? Could you please introduce about the special identities of Singapore women? Is there any similarity between Vietnamese women and women in Singapore?

In conjunction with International Women's Day, women around the world will rally for gender equality.

Vietnamese women are very impressive, dedicated and accomplished. You have leaders in so many fields to inspire the rest.

One really inspiring example who stands out, is Ms Van Thi Nguyen, a social entrepreneur who was born with spinal muscular dystrophy and who, despite all odds and struggle with her medical condition growing up, is the founder of the Will to Live Center which provides training for the disabled.

I am very impressed and admire her work ethic and dedication to her cause in working for the betterment of the disabled people in Viet Nam.

In Singapore we are very proud to have our first woman President, Madam Halimah Yacob, who had the pleasure of hosting President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s State Visit to Singapore on 24 – 26 February 2022.

As in Viet Nam, the modern-day Singapore woman is highly educated, ambitious, driven and intelligent. We have had the benefit of equal access to educational opportunities.

As Asian women, there are similarities between Singapore and Vietnamese women. We epitomize strength and independence and blend that uniquely with kindness, grace, tranquility, and typical Asian hospitality.

I am very grateful to AWCH which has been so impactful in building bridges within the ASEAN family here, strengthening our friendship with each other as well as with our partners from around the world.

I look forward to continuing actively participating in their efforts through various social, charitable and cultural activities, particularly to take forward further our bilateral relations when Singapore and Viet Nam celebrate our double anniversaries in 2023 - the 50th of our diplomatic relations and 10th for our Strategic Partnership.