On the morning of August 26, 2022 at Golden Lotus Convention Center, the Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association in Dong Nai province in collaboration with the Consulate General of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh City co-hosted the event “The ASEAN Commemorative Meeting and Cultural Exchange”. Attending the event were Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Tien Dung; representatives of the Consulate General of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh City and 250 delegates who are leaders of departments, agencies and sectors of the province; officials, members of the Union, Associations and artistic groups of Consulate Generals of other countries.

Mr. Agustaviano Sofjan - Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City introducing the exhibition booth of Indonesian cultural identity to Mr. Cao Tien Dung, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

The event included many outstanding activities such as the exhibition booths of cultural identity of ASEAN countries, performance of traditional costumes and special cultural performances of countries, and videos about the cultural features, the typical landmarks of the countries in the ASEAN community.

Speaking at the event, President of the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Thanh Tri emphasized, this is one of the meaningful people – to - people exchange activities to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and this is also the first co-ordination program among Dong Nai Union of Frienship Organizations, Dong Nai province Vietnam – ASEAN Friendship Association and the Consulate General of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh city. The event aims to introduce to all delegates and people of all walks of life in the province and friends from other countries about a cultural diversity picture, imbued with traditional identity of ASEAN countries by artifacts, images on display at exhibition booths, traditional costumes as well as the traditional and local music and lyrics; thereby, contributing to honoring the country, people, and traditional values of the countries in the community, and simultaneously highlighting an  ASEAN community with the motto “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Tien Dung delivering a welcome speech

Delivering a welcome speech, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that 2022 is an important year in the history of establishment and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. This is a year to celebrate important diplomatic events, Anniversaries of the establishment of the friendship relations between Vietnam and ASEAN countries such as the 55th founding Anniversary of ASEAN (1967 - 2022), the 27th Anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN, the Year of Solidarity and Friendship – celebrates the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and some ASEAN countries. Currently, ASEAN is a common home for more than 700 million people of 10 Southeast Asian countries, the world's fifth largest economic community, a reliable and important partner of many countries. It plays an important role in the global economy and central role of dialogue, cooperation and linkage processes in the region. Vietnam officially joined ASEAN on July 28, 1995 and has made many important contributions to the development and success of the Association, especially actively promoting the cohesion towards the goal of “building a strong foundation for greater understanding and good neighbourliness, and build a shared sense of identity and responsibility in ASEAN".

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council Hoang Thi Bich Hang presenting flowers to thank the representatives of the Consulate General of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh City for their support and co-host of the event.

Dong Nai province is currently being invested by six ASEAN countries including Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia with about 150 projects with a total registered capital of more than 5 billion USD. Since 2009, Dong Nai province has promoted the establishment of 03 bilateral friendship associations between Vietnam and 03 countries in ASEAN community including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and 01 first multilateral friendship association of the province - The Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association which aims to build and cultivate solidarity and friendship between the people of Dong Nai and the peoples of ASEAN countries. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also expressed his wish to receive further cooperation and exchange opportunities from the countries of the ASEAN Community for Dong Nai province.

Chairman of the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association Mai Van Nhon handing over the Decision for the establishment of the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association branch at Lac Hong University.

Chairman of the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association Mai Van Nhon handing over the Decision for the establishment of the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association branch at Dong Nai University.

At the event, the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association of the province also handed over the Decision for the establishment of 02 Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association Branches at Lac Hong University and Dong Nai University.