The program was attended by about 500 people, including President of the Rome City Council Svetlana Celli, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Tripodi, representatives of Italian ministries and agencies and the Vatican, Mayor of Limassol City (Cyprus) Nicos Nicolaides, Ambassadors, representatives of embassies, members of the Vietnamese community and Italian friends.

In a warm and solemn atmosphere, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung reviewed the country’s socio-economic development and foreign affairs achievements, new developments in Vietnam’s relations with Italy and other countries concurrently serving. Vietnam’s economy in 2022 recovered strongly, with GDP increasing by 8.02%, socio-political stability, and Vietnam’s international position enhanced in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

For her part, the President of the Rome City Council, Ms. Celli, pledged to support and assist in organizing events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam, a relationship that she considered a complete success. Vietnam is one of the most dynamic countries in Southeast Asia, with strengths in attracting foreign investment, a young and skilled workforce, and above all, a large network of free trade agreements. The economies of Italy and Vietnam are highly complementary.

She believes that with the growth prospects of the Vietnamese economy and Italy’s interest in maintaining a strong relationship with Vietnam, the bilateral relationship between the two countries will increasingly develop and strengthen. She also hopes that Vietnam will support Rome’s candidacy to host the World Expo 2030, with the main theme being “People and Territory”.

At the Cyprus end, Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Nicolaides, sent New Year greetings to the points in Italy and Malta. He emphasized that Limassol will create all conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate and contribute to the economic, cultural and social life in Cyprus, contributing to enhancing understanding between the two peoples and relations between the two countries.

Speaking to VNA reporters, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Tripodi said: “The year 2023 is very significant, because it marks an important milestone in the path that the two countries have successfully traveled together so far and creates a solid foundation to continue strengthening bilateral relations in the future. Italian authorities will provide maximum support to activities and initiatives to celebrate the Italy-Vietnam Year. Italy has a specific action program throughout 2023 to further highlight the already strong ties between Italian culture and Vietnamese culture, one of the most extraordinary cultures in Southeast Asia, as well as plans to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Also at the meeting, Mr. Pham Van Hong, Chairman of the Italy – Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, representing Vietnamese people in Italy, congratulated the comprehensive achievements of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy in the fields of diplomacy, trade promotion, investment and support for Vietnamese associations in Italy, Cyprus and Malta, pledging to unite more to join hands to contribute to the development of the country.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhan, representative of the Vietnamese Association in Malta, expressed her emotion and sincere thanks to the Embassy for supporting the community in Malta to celebrate Tet together and the opportunity to exchange with communities in Italy and Cyprus. In particular, Xuan Que Huong in Malta this year not only helps strengthen the solidarity of the Vietnamese community but also strengthens the relationship between the Vietnamese Association in Malta and local friends and partners, creating favorable conditions for the community to better integrate into Maltese society while preserving, promoting and promoting the cultural identities and fine traditions of the Vietnamese people to international friends.

The art program “Spring Homeland” is a very special program because it takes place live at 3 bridges: Italy, Cyprus and Malta, with performances by overseas Vietnamese and Italian friends to express the respect, gratitude, thoughts, and warm feelings of those who are far from their homeland towards their country, family and preserve the beautiful traditional spiritual culture of the nation on the occasion of Spring. In addition to spiritual dishes, attendees also enjoy special Vietnamese Tet dishes such as fried spring rolls, pork rolls, sausages, banh chung…

Another special feature is that this year’s “Homeland Spring” program was held for the first time in one of the most beautiful auditoriums of Rome City Hall, with the favor of the Rome city government for Vietnam, while demonstrating the good relationship between the two countries.

The relationship between Vietnam and Italy, Cyprus and Malta is developing positively, achieving many proud results. Vietnam and Italy have had many high-level dialogues and contacts, and delegation exchanges have increased sharply from the ministerial, sectoral to local and business levels. Economic cooperation has developed vigorously, with trade turnover increasing by 14%, of which Vietnam’s exports to Italy increased by 18.5% compared to 2021. Many unique cultural and culinary features of Vietnam have spread to many cities in Italy, and Italian culture and cuisine continue to be of interest and love to the Vietnamese people. With Cyprus and Malta, the relationship has also been actively developed with many exchanges, contacts and many meaningful cultural events.