Speaking at the meeting, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh emphasised that Viet Nam always values its strong traditional friendship with Slovakia, in which culture serves as an important bridge connecting the two countries and their peoples.
The minister noted that both Viet Nam and Slovakia possess long-standing cultural traditions. Slovakia has particular strengths in the arts, architecture, and distinctive natural landscapes. In 2025, the two countries jointly organised a wide range of vibrant cultural and artistic activities to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Looking ahead, based on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation for the 2026–2030 period between the two ministries, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh proposed further enhancing cultural and artistic exchanges, as well as expanding cooperation in areas such as film screenings, culinary promotion, exhibitions, contemporary art, and concerts.
In the field of heritage, the minister suggested that Slovakia share its experience in preserving and promoting heritage values, as well as in the digitalisation of heritage. She also called for strengthened exchanges and cooperation in cultural and artistic sectors, including fine arts, museums,and music. Both sides were encouraged to step up delegation exchanges in culture and information to creategreater opportunities for experts to learn from one another.
In line with the policy of preserving and promoting national cultural identity while embracing global cultural values, Viet Nam stands ready to enhance international cultural exchanges and invites Slovakia to participate in major regional and international cultural events hosted in Viet Nam, such as the Ha Noi International Film Festival, the International Puppetry Festival, and the World Cultural Festival in Ha Noi.
Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh expressed confidence that in the coming time, the relations between the two countries would continue to develop strongly and comprehensively, with culture as a key highlight contributing to greater mutual understanding of the people and potential of both nations, thereby fostering closer and more effective cooperation across various fields. Both sides will continue to concretise the contents of the MoU while ensuring the effective implementation of practical cooperation and exchange activities.
For her part, Minister Martina Šimkovičová expressed her pleasure at the signing of the cultural cooperation agreement for the 2026–2030 period and highly appreciated efforts to promote cultural ties between the two countries.
She noted that the Slovak Government and community are keen to strengthen cultural cooperation with Viet Nam, with priority given to enhancing exchange activities, translation work, and the introduction of literary and cinematic works. She also expressed a desire to see Viet Nam represented in Slovak artistic spaces and educational institutions through exhibitions and lectures introducing Viet Nam.
Minister Martina Šimkovičová stressed that both Viet Nam and Slovakia have strengths in traditional and folk arts. Therefore, the two sides should step up cooperation and exchanges in this field, including by organising Slovak Cultural Days in Viet Nam and Vietnamese Cultural Days in Slovakia as well as holding a Slovak Film Week in Viet Nam.
