An arts exchange programme which highlighted Viet Nam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands took place at Da Nang’s Eastern Sea Park on Saturday evening.  It was part of the Viet Nam Summer Camp 2014 which is being held from 8 to 27 July.

The event comprised 3 different parts: “The Root of Viet Nam”, “My Homeland’s Sea and Islands” and “The Fatherland Calls Me”.  In the spotlight was a fascinating performance by young overseas Vietnamese from around the world who are attending the summer camp.  Their performance aroused national pride as it featured the national flags and symbols of Viet Nam’s sea and islands.

Presenting shawls at the arts exchange programme

Also at the event, Da Nang and Quang Ngai Province each received 55 million VND donated by the participants at the camp.   In addition, signed shawls were presented to representatives from the city’s Fishery Association, and funds for supporting fishermen in Da Nang and Quang Ngai Province.

To date, the organisers of the annual Viet Nam Summer Camp, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) under Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has donated a total of over 5.3 billion VND to Vietnamese fishermen, Marine Police and Fisheries Surveillance forces.

Earlier, on Saturday morning, the youngsters at the camp attended a grand memorial requiem at Son Tra District’s Linh Ung Pagoda to commemorate the heroic martyrs who have laid down their lives for the nation.  It was jointly organised by the SCOVA, Da Nang’s Buddhist Sangha, and the municipal People’s Committee.   During their stay in Da Nang, the participants have also visited the Non Nuoc stone carving village, My Khe beach and Quang Ngai Province’s Ly Son Island.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Nguyen Thanh Son, remarked that the Viet Nam Summer Camp 2014 programme aimed to encourage young overseas Vietnamese from around the world to understand more about the current situation in their homeland.  He added that the participants at the camp have had the opportunity to gain a thorough grasp of the country’s distinctive cultural and historical values, as well as to improve their Vietnamese language skills.  This will help to uphold their sentimental attachment to their homeland.  Deputy Minister Son added that this year’s programme comes at a time when people all around the country are showing their special concern for Viet Nam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands.  They all appreciate the precious spiritual and material support from the overseas Vietnamese communities worldwide for Vietnamese fishermen, Marine Police and Fisheries Surveillance forces.