Vietnamese Culture Takes Center Stage at International School Brunei
In a vibrant display of cultural diplomacy, the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei, in partnership with the International School Brunei (ISB), recently hosted a cultural exchange event that brought Vietnamese literature and traditional hand embroidery to the heart of Brunei’s international community. The event, held on July 2, 2024, is part of a broader initiative to promote Vietnam’s rich heritage abroad and foster deeper people-to-people ties between Vietnam and Brunei.
The exchange was attended by 30 ISB students from grades 7 to 12, representing a diverse array of nationalities. Under the guidance of cultural ambassadors and artisans, these students experienced firsthand the artistry and meaning behind Vietnamese crafts and literature, while also engaging in discussions about environmental sustainability and cross-cultural understanding.
Promoting Vietnamese Literature: A Gift to the Next Generation
One of the highlights of the event was the donation of a curated collection of Vietnamese literary and cultural books to the ISB library. The selection included English translations of some of Vietnam’s most celebrated works, such as “Diary of a Cricket” by To Hoai, and “I See Yellow Flowers in the Green Grass” and “Ticket to Childhood” by Nguyen Nhat Anh. These books, which have inspired acclaimed film adaptations, offer international students a window into Vietnamese society, values, and imagination.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Brunei, Tran Anh Vu, expressed his aspirations for the event, stating his hope that ISB students and their international peers would actively explore Vietnamese culture through these literary works and their cinematic counterparts. The ambassador’s remarks underscored the role of literature as a bridge for cultural understanding and empathy among young people from different backgrounds.
Ambassador Tran Anh Vu shared his vision: “We hope that ISB students and international friends will have a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese literature and culture, including works that have inspired acclaimed film adaptations.”
By introducing these stories to Bruneian youth, the embassy aims to spark curiosity about Vietnam’s history, traditions, and contemporary life, while also encouraging further educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Hands-On Heritage: The Art of Vietnamese Hand Embroidery
Beyond literature, the event offered a unique, hands-on workshop in traditional Vietnamese hand embroidery. Led by Le Thi Hong Ngoan (the ambassador’s spouse), Maisarah Nguyen (founder of the Rattan House handicraft brand), and Pham Thu Phuong (a representative of the Vietnamese community in Brunei), students learned the intricate techniques of this centuries-old craft.
Participants decorated their embroidery pieces with distinctive patterns inspired by the H’Mong ethnic group, one of Vietnam’s many minority communities known for their vibrant textile traditions. The workshop not only taught technical skills but also conveyed the cultural significance of embroidery in Vietnamese society, where such crafts are often passed down through generations and serve as expressions of identity and artistry.
Importantly, the workshop emphasized environmental sustainability. All materials used were eco-friendly, including recycled newspapers, repurposed plastic bottles, and dried plants. This approach highlighted the intersection of tradition and modern environmental consciousness, sending a message about the importance of preserving both cultural heritage and the natural world.
Le Thi Hong Ngoan, one of the workshop leaders, explained: “We plan to continue exploring Brunei’s natural resources for use in Vietnamese handicrafts, fostering both cultural exchange and environmental stewardship.”
This innovative blend of tradition and sustainability resonated with students, who left the event with a deeper appreciation for both Vietnamese culture and the global imperative of environmental responsibility.
ISB: A Hub for International Education and Cultural Exchange
The International School Brunei, with its 60-year history and a student body of approximately 1,400 from various countries, provided an ideal setting for this cultural exchange. ISB is renowned for its internationally accredited programs and commitment to fostering global citizenship among its students.
School leaders expressed enthusiasm for the event and voiced their hope that more Vietnamese students would join ISB’s academic programs in the future. They also highlighted the potential for expanded partnerships and exchanges between ISB and educational institutions in Vietnam, further strengthening the educational and cultural ties between the two nations.
Such exchanges are not isolated events but part of a broader strategy by both Vietnam and Brunei to prioritize cultural and people-to-people cooperation within their comprehensive partnership. These efforts are supported at the highest levels of government and are seen as essential for building mutual understanding and long-term friendship.
Vietnam-Brunei Cultural Diplomacy: A Growing Partnership
The ISB event is just one example of the flourishing cultural diplomacy between Vietnam and Brunei. In recent years, both countries have identified cultural exchange and people-to-people interactions as priority areas within their comprehensive partnership, which was formalized through an action program for 2023-2027.
High-level visits, such as Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official trip to Brunei in 2023, have included active participation in cultural activities and meetings with Bruneian students studying Vietnamese. The Vietnamese language program at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), launched in 2022, has attracted significant interest, with 60-90 students enrolling each semester. This program is a testament to the growing curiosity about Vietnamese culture among Bruneians and the commitment of both countries to educational cooperation.
Other notable cultural initiatives include the Vietnam-Brunei Friendship Concert, which brought together artists from both nations in a celebration of music and shared heritage, and the participation of Vietnamese representatives in major events such as the ASEAN Textile Exhibition and Brunei’s Hari Raya Festival. At these gatherings, Vietnamese traditional dress (Ao Dai), cuisine, and handicrafts have been showcased, drawing admiration from local and international audiences alike.
The Role of the Vietnamese Community in Brunei
Currently, there are nearly 300 Vietnamese nationals living in Brunei, including students, lecturers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and multicultural families. This community plays a vital role as a bridge between the two cultures, actively participating in embassy-led initiatives and organizing their own cultural promotion activities.
Vietnamese businesses in Brunei have introduced a range of products, from handicrafts and rattan goods to agricultural products and textiles, which have been well received for their quality and affordability. The Sai Ngon coffee brand, a joint venture between Vietnamese and Bruneian partners, has quickly gained popularity in local supermarkets, further enhancing Vietnam’s cultural and economic presence in Brunei.
Workshops on Vietnamese handicrafts and cuisine, often organized by community members, have contributed to a growing appreciation of Vietnamese culture among Bruneians. These grassroots efforts complement official diplomatic activities and help sustain a vibrant, ongoing exchange between the two societies.
Environmental Sustainability and Cultural Preservation
A distinctive feature of the ISB event was its focus on environmental sustainability. By using recycled and natural materials in the embroidery workshop, organizers sent a powerful message about the compatibility of traditional crafts with modern ecological values. This approach reflects a broader trend in Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy, where the preservation of heritage is increasingly linked to environmental stewardship.
Le Thi Hong Ngoan and her fellow instructors have expressed their intention to continue researching and incorporating Brunei’s natural materials into Vietnamese handicraft products. This not only enriches the craft itself but also deepens the cultural exchange by integrating elements from both countries’ natural environments.
Such initiatives are in line with global efforts to make cultural practices more sustainable and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the planet for future generations. By engaging young people in these activities, the event at ISB helped instill values of creativity, responsibility, and cross-cultural respect.
Broader Impact: Building Bridges Through Culture
The cultural exchange at ISB is emblematic of a larger movement to use culture as a means of building bridges between nations. In an era marked by rapid globalization and complex international relations, such people-to-people connections are more important than ever.
Vietnam’s approach to cultural diplomacy is multifaceted, encompassing literature, arts, cuisine, language, and community engagement. By sharing its heritage with the world, Vietnam not only enhances its international image but also contributes to global diversity and understanding.
For Brunei, these exchanges offer opportunities to learn from and collaborate with a dynamic neighbor, enriching the educational experiences of its youth and fostering a spirit of openness and curiosity. The mutual benefits of such cooperation are evident in the growing number of joint initiatives, student exchanges, and cultural events.
In Summary
- The Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei and International School Brunei (ISB) hosted a cultural exchange event featuring Vietnamese literature and traditional hand embroidery.
- Students participated in hands-on workshops using eco-friendly materials and learned about H’Mong ethnic embroidery patterns.
- The embassy donated English translations of classic Vietnamese literary works to the ISB library, promoting cross-cultural understanding.
- The event is part of broader Vietnam-Brunei efforts to strengthen cultural, educational, and people-to-people ties.
- Vietnamese community members and businesses in Brunei play a key role in promoting Vietnamese culture and products.
- Environmental sustainability was a central theme, with organizers planning to incorporate Brunei’s natural resources into future Vietnamese handicrafts.
- Such cultural exchanges are vital for fostering mutual respect, friendship, and collaboration between nations.
