Vietnam’s traditional culture introduced to APEC guests

The event, themed “Stillness of Sense and Soul: Women Empowerment and Cultural Identity”, was held on the fringe of the ongoing APEC Women and the Economy Forum.

Narrated by storyteller Trac Thuy Mieu, the night at the Hue Culture Museum, located on the bank of the Huong River, told participants five stories about the life of royal families in the past, which was re-enacted by actors and actresses.

The performances were closely associated with the serving order of Hue-styled vegetarian dishes invented by culinary artisan Ho Thi Hoang Anh.

Through exhibitions at the event, guests also had a chance to gain an insight into modern designs of “ao dai” (traditional long dress of Vietnam) by local young designers, along with rare ingredients for the special vegetarian dishes served during the night.

In her speech, President of Ho Chi Minh City’s Peace and Development Foundation Ton Nu Thi Ninh, an organiser of the event, said the cultural night was held on the sidelines of the women and the economy forum because economy and culture cannot be disassociated and respecting culture will help ensure sustainable economic development. Culture also directly contributes to economic growth such as through tourism, film industry and entertainment activities.

Meanwhile, women play a key role in preserving and promoting cultural identities in economic activities, which can also be seen through female artisans, she noted, adding that Thua Thien-Hue province and its Hue city is an outstanding example of preserving and bringing into play culture in order to serve economic and social development.

The 2017 APEC Women and the Economy Forum is taking place in Hue from September 26 to 29 under the theme “Enhancing women’s economic inclusion and empowerment in the changing world”.

It is part of a series of activities throughout the APEC Year 2017 in Vietnam, which joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 1998.