Hanoi (VNA)𒊎 - Azerbaijan and Vietnam share several cultural similarities despite the distance which separates the two countries, said participants at the recent conference entitled The Parallels of Azerbaijani and Vietnamese Cultures.

The conference was held on May 17 by the Azerbaijani History and Culture Research Centre in Vietnam, and the Azerbaijan Embassy. Participants at the conference said that even though the two countries were not large, they had thousands of years of history, and were very resilient during wars against foreign invaders. Multiculturalism, for the two countries, has been the way to peace and stability. Participants said that inhabitants of the two countries have several common traditions. They both attach much attention to the role of family, and are very hospitable. During the event, speeches from leaders, teachers, researchers, and young students were presented, highlighting the cooperation of the two countries in different sectors including sport, and cinematography. The two countries set up close relations in 1959 when President Ho Chi Minh visited Azerbaijan. The President wanted the oil-savvy Azerbaijan to help Vietnam train cadres in this sector. This country has also helped Vietnam in the training of theatre directors and athletes. At the conference, Vietnamese associate professor Bui Minh Tri, member of the Vietnam Writers Association, expressed his admiration for Azerbaijani’s rich literary tradition. He said he found several similarities between the poetry of Azerbaijan’s famous poets Mirza Shafi Vazeh, and Nezami in Vietnam’s famous poets Nguyen Du and Xuan Dieu. Dao Xuan Tien, Director of Azerbaijani History and Culture Research Centre in Vietnam, wishes that a Vietnamese cultural centre would soon be opened in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to promote cultural cooperation between the two countries. He also highlighted the importance of promoting cultural exchanges between Vietnamese students studying in Azerbaijan Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijan Ambassador to Vietnam Anar Imanov said that the conference would be held annually. During the first conference of this kind last year, he also said he would finance the translation of literary works from Vietnamese to Azerbaijani and vice versa. Also last year, the Azerbaijani journal IRS Heritage, which focuses on the Central Asian country’s heritage and culture, has been published in Vietnamese. The journal is aimed at acquainting readers with the past and present of Azerbaijan, along with its economical and cultural life.-VNA