Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa (R) presents a book on Vietnam to Marco de Niet, deputy director of the Leiden University Libraries.

The hand-over ceremony was attended by Marco de Niet, deputy director of the Leiden University Libraries; Marije Plomp, librarian for the South and Southeast Asian collection; Jonathan London, a lecturer at Leiden University; Ngo Lam, the person in charge of the collection on Vietnam; and a delegation of five officials of the Vietnam Film Institute (VFI), who are on a working trip to the Netherlands.

In her speech, Vietnamese Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa expressed her belief that the book titles presented will work to enrich Leiden University’s documents on Vietnam in the early modern and modern periods, while providing Dutch and international students and scholars with an insight into the Vietnamese country, and its people and culture.

The event is also part of the practical activities to mark 45 years of Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties in 2018, she said.

For his part, Marco de Niet stated that the books on Vietnam were delivered to the Leiden University Library at the right time as its Asian Library has only recently been launched and the Vietnamese book space is in need of new materials.

The Leiden University Library has one of the world’s largest collections on Southeast Asia, with the collection of Vietnamese documents reaching three million artifacts, he said, adding that the new book titles on Vietnam presented by the Vietnamese embassy will be a good source of references for readers, helping to improve the understanding of international scholars and students regarding Vietnam and its relationships with the world.

In addition to the 41 books, Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa and VFI Director Vu Nguyen Hung handed over five DVDs of Vietnamese films as supplements to the Vietnamese collection at the Leiden University Library.

After the book hand-over, the diplomat and VFI officials held a discussion with Dr. Jonathan London and officials of Leiden University and its Library about some of the lecturer’s recent studies on Vietnam, while listening to the recommendations from the Leiden side concerning activities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Accordingly, the two sides will work together to implement activities of the Vietnam Year 2019 at the Leiden Asia Centre. Ambassador Hoa voiced her support for the initiatives and pledged to join the Leiden University Library and the VFI in implementing those ideas at an appropriate time.

Source: NDO

Related Topics

Chieng Chau commune preserves heritage tree

Ever-resonating Dong Son drums of Hoa Binh

Mo Muong - unique cultural heritage of Muong people

Unique traits of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh

---

Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 3 - Reviving traditional values

Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.

Exploring Hoa Binh Culture

The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.

Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 2 - Rich cultural heritage in Vietnam’s northwest gateway

Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.

Receiving the certificate of the historical and cultural site at the provincial level for Sau Communal House, Thanh Cao Commune

The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.

Motivation for community to enhance cultural heritage preservation

Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.

A journey through time: Exploring rich history, formation of Hoa Binh province: Article 1: Major features of Hoa Binh province formation

Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.