The Malaysian Consulate General in Vietnam’s southern Ho Chi Minh City opened the Malaysia Madani Week on Friday evening, which consists of a series of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Vietnam.

The special week is hosted by the Malaysian Consulate General and some relevant Malaysian agencies, in conjunction with several Vietnamese bodies including the city’s Department of External Relations. 

Deputy chairman of the city’s administration Bui Xuan Cuong, Malaysian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Wong Chia Chiann and Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai were among the officials at the event’s opening ceremony.

The event started with a three-day exhibition, named ‘Malaysian Madani Pavilion,’ which features over 30 Malaysian businesses in the trade, investment, tourism, and education sectors. 

The expo also highlights business networking activities between companies from both countries, as well as traditional art performances by Malaysian artists. 

Along with the expo is the Malaysia Education Festival that will introduce study opportunities in Malaysia and launch a program promoting education cooperation between the two countries.

The most significant events of the week will be two ceremonies to mark a half century of Vietnam - Malaysian ties, with one to be held in the city next Tuesday and another in Dong Nai Province two days later.

In addition, a Malaysian cultural and culinary promotion program will be conducted from June 9 to 18 at four major hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, namely Sofitel Saigon, Sheraton Saigon, Pullman Saigon, and M Gallery Saigon, with the participation of eight renowned Malaysian chefs.

Also, a business networking session between Malaysian and Vietnamese entrepreneurs will take place next Monday under the host of the consulate general in collaboration with the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association and Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations.

“I am very pleased to see the Malaysia Madani Week celebrated vibrantly in the city, especially since this is an important year marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Vietnam,” Ambassador Thai addressed the ceremony.

Vice mayor Cuong highly appreciated the initiative to organize Malaysia Madani Week and expressed his belief that the event will help strengthens the friendship between the two nations

“This special week will also create an opportunity and a platform to explore and promote new prospects in the fields of economics, trade, investment, tourism, medicine, and education between the two sides,” Cuong added. 

He believed that cultural exchanges during the event will promote mutual understanding and connections and pave the way for stronger ties between the peoples of the two countries.

“Today is a very special day for all of us,” Consul General Chiann said, adding that the words ‘Malaysia Madani’ reflect the vision of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim. 

‘Madani’ is the Malay acronym made up of six core values: keMampanan (sustainability), kesejAhteraan (prosperity), Daya cipta (innovation), hormAt (respect), keyakiNan (trust) and Ihsan (compassion).

Accordingly, ‘Malaysia Madani’, is the embodiment of the prime minister’s vision for a civilized, progressive and inclusive Malaysian society based on these key values.

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