A grand celebration consisting of traditional music and cultural performances took place at the Thang Long Citadel UNESCO World Heritage Site in commemoration of UNESCO’s 70th anniversary. During the event, representatives of the Government of Viet Nam and UNESCO recognized joint achievements and committed to continued and enhanced cooperation to rise to new challenges.

Attending the celebration were Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam Katherine Müller-Marin and Director of the World Heritage Centre Mechtild Rössler. National and local media institutions and agencies were also present to document and report on this significant occasion.

The ceremony began with welcoming musical and traditional performances followed by a video message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. Ms. Irina Bokova congratulated Viet Nam on its progress in the sectors of education, social and human sciences, culture and communications. She went on to reaffirm the country’s commitment to and active support of the Organization and expressed her confidence in the continuation of close cooperation between UNESCO and Viet Nam.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Pham Binh Minh acknowledged UNESCO’s “meaningful contributions to every household, locality and community across the country…[through] its support to helping develop teaching methods, encourage learning and increase access to education” as well as providing “valuable references for the Party and State to improve policy and legal frameworks [and to] renew thinking”. H.E. Pham Binh Minh also stated that “many ideals of UNESCO match the desire for blessings and growth among the people of Viet Nam.”

Following Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Chairman of Ha Noi People’s Committee Le Hong Son highlighted the advancements and recognitions Viet Nam has achieved through its collaboration and work with UNESCO, including its recognition as a City of Peace.

Ms. Katherine Muller-Marin further expressed her admiration for the Vietnamese people and congratulated Viet Nam on its hard work and commitment to social development and progress, asserting that “together, [Viet Nam and UNESCO] have defined a Learning Society for All that recognizes the importance of each man and woman as empowered individuals for ensuring progress and the transformation of society towards sustainable development.”

As a reportage on the achievements of UNESCO over the past 70 years, a short video was presented exhibiting 31 prestigious titles to Viet Nam, including 8 World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites; 9 World Intangible Heritage elements; 9 World Biosphere Reserves; 4 documentary heritage elements within the Memory of the World programme; and 1 global Geopark.

The Labour Medal, Third Class, was presented to the Heritage Conservation Centre of Thang Long Imperial Citadel and the Friendship Medal was also awarded to the UNESCO representative to Viet Nam, Katherine Müller-Marin, in recognition of her strong devotion to the people of Viet Nam through UNESCO’s work.