Cultural ties help deepen Ho Chi Minh City-Indonesia cooperation

The Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the country’s 81st Independence Day on Wednesday evening, with city officials and Indonesian diplomats highlighting closer cultural and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and Indonesia.

New chapter in bilateral relation

Ho Chi Minh City sees significant room to deepen cooperation with Indonesia as the two countries enter a new phase of bilateral ties.

Speaking at the reception, Nguyen Loc Ha, permanent vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said the comprehensive strategic partnership established between Vietnam and Indonesia in 2025 had opened a new chapter in relations.

He described Indonesia as an important partner of Ho Chi Minh City in trade, investment, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, while noting that cultural and educational exchanges have also expanded in recent years.

Further cooperation could focus on areas aligned with the city’s development priorities, including logistics, the marine economy, green growth, innovation, the halal industry, and tourism, he said.

He also expressed confidence that Indonesia would continue making progress toward its “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision and that stronger cooperation would contribute to the development of both countries and a more resilient and prosperous ASEAN community.

Cultural exchanges deepen connections

Cultural exchanges are playing an increasingly important role in bringing Vietnamese and Indonesian people closer together.

At the reception, Ho Chi Minh City students performed 'Mot Vong Viet Nam' (A Journey Around Vietnam) on the angklung alongside artists from Indonesia’s Saung Angklung Udjo troupe.

Vietnamese students and Indonesian performers later presented a series of performances blending cultural elements from both countries.

Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Carolina Tinangon told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that the Vietnamese students had only a few days to learn and practice the angklung before taking the stage.

She said their performance reflected the cultural affinity between Vietnam and Indonesia, both of which have long traditions of bamboo musical instruments.

“I truly appreciate the students’ enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, and desire to discover more,” Tinangon said.

“For us, it is a great joy to see that because it shows they want to understand more about Indonesia. I believe this will deepen their understanding of our culture and, more importantly, of the friendship between our two countries.”

Tinangon said stronger mutual understanding could help people from both countries identify areas of common interest and mutual benefit, creating a foundation for broader economic cooperation.

She stressed that bilateral ties should be built not only through official agreements and government-level dialogue, but also through trust and lasting connections between people.