The Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka hosted an interactive session attended by Vietnamese women living in Sri Lanka to mark Vietnam Women’s Day 2024. This program allowed the female Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka to explore ways to bring Vietnam closer to Sri Lanka through people-to-people exchange and other activities.
Vietnam Women’s Day traces back to 1930, when the first Vietnamese Women’s Congress was held. The Congress sought to advance women’s rights, recognising their crucial role in Vietnam’s economic development and Independence. Since then, October 20 has been a day to honour Vietnamese women and their ongoing struggle for equality and social justice.
In Sri Lanka, October is also a month to promote women’s health, a key factor in economic productivity.
This year’s celebration comes at a time when Vietnam is making significant strides in gender equality, a crucial driver of economic growth. According to the UN, Vietnamese women are playing an increasingly prominent role in its economy.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam said the economic qualities of Vietnamese women such as their resourcefulness, endurance and dedication to family. The Ambassador praised the policies promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality, which are boosting Viet Nam’s economic competitiveness.
At the event, every Vietnamese woman in Sri Lanka was invited to become an economic ambassador, promoting Vietnam’s image and culture, particularly through their interactions with Sri Lankan families, neighbours and business colleagues.
The participants shared their experiences in Sri Lanka, noting the affection of the Sri Lankan people for Vietnam. The community valued their mutual support despite differences, as well as the Embassy’s assistance when needed. They also acknowledged challenges such as language, cultural and lifestyle differences, as well as the scarcity of Vietnamese products in local markets. To address these challenges, the group brainstormed ideas, including online English classes for bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, establishing a Vietnamese women’s economic association, and creating more effective business communication channels.
The Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka, comprising mainly bhikkhus and nuns, women married to Sri Lankan men and workers on foreign projects. Despite numbering only around 200, the community has been actively contributing to the economic development of Sri Lanka while introducing Vietnamese culture to a wider population.
During Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis, the Vietnamese Community prominently came forward to mobilise various forms of assistance, including medical supplies, necessities, and funds aimed at supporting the most vulnerable.
Sri Lanka currently has four Vietnamese restaurants in Colombo and a Vietnamese temple in Kandy, promoting Vietnamese culture and attracting tourism.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka has made itself a beloved address for the community, always prioritising attention for them, encouraging timely visits and providing other assistance when necessary. In addition to various activities promoting trade and other means of cooperation, the community collaborates with the Embassy in commemorating many memorable occasions including Vietnam National Day, birth anniversary celebrations of President Ho Chi Minh and International Vesak celebration.
This occasion provided another wonderful opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka to meet and interact in a joyful atmosphere while showcasing the beauty of their traditional costume ‘Áo Dài’.
Vietnam Women’s Day is a call to action as much as a celebration. It is a call to all Vietnamese to dedicate themselves to create a society that is just and equal. The observance of Women’s Day is a potent reminder that women’s emancipation is necessary for Vietnam’s future prosperity.
