On 29 October 2025, at the elegant Kaiserštejnský palác on Malostranské náměstí in Prague, the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Czech Republic and Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism jointly organised the “Vietnam Cultural Heritage Preservation and Development Days”. This event celebrated two substantial milestones: the 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic (1950‑2025), and Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage Day on 23 November.

The programme began at 10:30 a.m. and included a ribbon‑cutting ceremony, an official tour of the exhibition highlighting Vietnam’s cultural heritage, a heritage‑experience showcase, and a networking reception for diplomatic, cultural, and economic stakeholders.

His Excellency Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam welcomed guests on behalf of the Vietnamese diplomatic mission. He emphasised the long‑standing friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, recalling that the establishment of diplomatic ties on 2 February 1950 marked the beginning of a seven‑decade‑plus partnership built on mutual respect, development cooperation and cultural exchange. The ambassador highlighted that 2025 presents a unique moment for reflection and renewal of bilateral relations and invited all guests to share and preserve Vietnamese cultural heritage abroad actively.

Following the ambassador’s remarks, His Excellency Vice Minister Hoang Dao Cuong of Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism delivered the keynote address. He positioned the event within Vietnam’s national framework for cultural heritage preservation, underscoring that Vietnam sees its cultural legacy not only as a national treasure but also as a global asset to be shared with friends and partners such as the Czech Republic. He pointed to the increasing role of people‑to‑people exchange, tourism, and cultural diplomacy in the 21st century. He noted that exhibitions such as this one in Prague help deepen understanding between nations. He also noted the strategic dimension: as Vietnam’s economy and global relevance grow, cultivation of “soft power” through heritage becomes ever more critical.

The ribbon‑cutting ceremony followed, symbolically marking the inception of the exhibition and heritage‑experience zones. Attendees then proceeded on a guided tour of the display, which featured objects, archival images and interactive installations reflecting Vietnam’s rich cultural geography — from the Red River delta to the Mekong Delta, traditional crafts and intangible heritage elements such as folk music and regional festivals.

The heritage‑experience section invited participants to engage hands‑on: guests could sample traditional Vietnamese music, craft workshops, and culinary tastings representing regional Vietnamese cuisine. The networking reception that followed provided space for informal conversation between members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Czech cultural institutions, the Vietnamese community in Czechia, business leaders and academics.

The event underscored the deeper significance of the 75th‑anniversary milestone in Vietnam–Czech relations. Over the decades, cooperation has expanded from diplomatic recognition to economic, educational, cultural and people‑to‑people ties. Bilateral trade recently reached record levels, and both countries have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership. The Prague‑based exhibition serves as a visible manifestation of this broader partnership beyond trade: a commitment to cultural understanding and heritage preservation as part of diplomatic engagement.

From a Czech perspective, the event in Prague honours the significant Vietnamese diaspora (one of the largest overseas communities in Czechia) and recognises their role as cultural bridge‑builders. The Vietnamese community’s contributions to Czech society and its role in promoting mutual understanding were implicitly celebrated in the networking segment.

Looking forward, both Vietnam and the Czech Republic signalled an intention to deepen cultural, tourism and heritage collaboration: joint research on cultural heritage sites, exchange programmes for artists and curators, direct flight connections to enhance tourism and a Czech‑Vietnamese cultural centre. These initiatives reflect how cultural diplomacy is increasingly integrated into bilateral strategy—not only as an add‑on, but as a core dimension of the 21st‑century partnership.

In conclusion, the baroque setting of the Kaiserštejnský palác, combined with Vietnam’s rich heritage and Czech hospitality, created a memorable occasion. The event not only celebrated history—but also set a forward‑looking tone for the next chapter of Czech‑Vietnamese cooperation in culture, tourism, education and heritage preservation.