Vietnam: Sri Lanka’s religious, cultural and political friend

Richard BASNAYAKE
 

Ho Chi Minh

The 64th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam falls on September 2, 2009. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) was formed on September 2, 1945 after the victorious struggle against the French imperialists, led by Ho chi Minh. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam was formed in 1975 after a long drawn war of liberation against the aggressions of France, the United States and Japan, and the subsequent unification of North and South Vietnam.

Geography and climate

On the map, Vietnam is shaped like “S”, situated on the eastern side of Indochina, in South-East Asia. It is stretched in the tropical zone, and covers over 3,000 km of coastline overlooking the Eastern Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It borders China in the North and Laos and Cambodia in the West, North Vietnam has large plains, sprawling in the basins of the Red the Lo and the Chay rivers; and has four distinct seasons with high humidity. Over thousands of years the people of North have built a system of dykes along the river banks, to cultivate land and earn their living. In South Vietnam, the great Mekong river has created a fertile plain which is considered the largest granary of the country. There are two seasons: rainy and dry.

Demography

The population of Vietnam exceeds 80 million and is made up of 54 ethnic groups. The largest group is the Viet or Kinh, accounting to about 80 percent of the entire population. They live mostly in the lowlands, while the other minority groups live in the highlands and in hilly areas.

Religion

There is no official religion in Vietnam, but Buddhism is more popular and people observe it diligently. Besides, most Vietnamese worship their ancestors. There are ‘religions, more specific to the southern parts of the country such as Caodai Sect, the Hoa Hao sect and Catholics. Buddhist pagodas and Catholic Churches are interesting tourist attractions.

Culture

A temple in Vietnam

The Vietnamese culture endowed with a long and rich heritage is deeply stamped with national pride. Vietnam has its language and writing. The national identity is made up of 54 ethnic minorities living together as one nation.

This unity in diversity has produced a lot of traditional arts which have been developing for thousands of years. Specific features of Vietnam are reflected in other cultural activities such as legends, festivals, traditional theatre - very specially - water puppetry, music dance and customs in weddings and funerals. the habit of chewing betel with areca and lime is also a tradition.

Fruits and vegetables

Vietnam counts over 130 species of fruits. The tropical zone trees produce bananas, mangoes, papayas, oranges, avacadoes, grapes and coconuts while the temperate zone trees produce, apples, pears, apricot, plums and peaches. Vegetables such as carrots, beetroot, cabbage, beans, pumpkins, and all other vegetables in wet and dry zones of Sri Lanka are grown extensively.

Economy

Vietnam is basically an agricultural country. Rice is the main crop and Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world. The other crops are potatoes, manioc and soya beans. From 1980 to 1985, the economy of Vietnam experienced a serious crisis.

To face this situation, the Communist Party of Vietnam, in 1986, defined the “Doi Moi” politic, which marked the historical turning point in the edification and developing process of the country.

After more than 15 years of economic reforms, Vietnam has achieved major successes and significant improvements. Emphasis was put on scientific activities and productions were readjusted to fit the new model of economy, controlled by the State with Socialist Orientation.

One of the contributing factors to the economic development in recent years was the law on Foreign Investment. Vietnam is now carrying out an open-door - policy to join the international market and become an industrialized and modernized country before 2020.

Vietnamese diplomacy: It is believed that the Vietnamese contemporary diplomacy continues and creatively applies its ancestors’ diplomatic genius with the age - old traditions of the East and the experience drawn from the Western Diplomacy has created its own specific philosophy. Its primary objective is to contribute to the defence of national independence and, at the same time to expand the friendship with other nations. Over the past 60 years, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 165 nations and trade ties with over 100 countries.

There is a popular phrase in the Vietnamese diplomatic strategy which sounds unfamiliar to Western diplomats - “People’s Diplomacy” - “Taking the people as the centre of concern” - is a common concept in the East. It means that not only the ruling-class but also different strata of people conduct international interchange. Vietnam is implementing an open diversified multi-sided diplomatic policy in conformity with the motto: “Vietnam wishes to befriend all nations of the world for the sake of peace, independence and development.” In this framework, Vietnam has become a member of ASEAN (July 1995) and APEC, and also has expanded relations with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

In recent years, leaders of the Vietnam’s Communist Party, National Assembly and Government paid official visits to many nations in the Pacific, Asia, Middle-East and Africa. Vietnam received many Heads of States, Prime Ministers, (Sri Lankan Prime Minister paid an official visit to Vietnam) and other high-ranking officials and delegations from all over the world.

The rural Vietnam

Vietnam is also an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement and a member of the United Nations.

Trusted friend of Sri Lanka

When Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet, visited Sri Lanka in early August to sign the bilateral trade agreement amounting to US $ 70 million, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, said Sri Lanka and Vietnam had entered into an agreement to expand trade and political relations between the two countries and the first agreement was signed in 2003, the second on 10th August in Sri Lanka and the third in 2011 in Vietnam.

He said a Vietnamese Embassy will be opened in Colombo soon to boost trade, investment, food, security and political relations for the mutal benefit. He also conveyed the appreciation of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for the active role played by Vietnam in international fora, particularly in the UN Security Council in supporting Sri Lanka’s effort to defeat terrorism.

Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister said Vietnam is always ready to support Sri Lanka’s developments and assist its people in their effort to maintain peace and stability in the country and the international campaign against terrorism.

The writer is Secretary, Sri Lanka Vietnam Friendship League