Launching of UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vietnam
The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vietnam (APPG for Vietnam) made its debut in London on December 16, expected to help strengthen the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation as they prepare to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership next year. Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Mr Do Minh Hung expressed his delight that the friendship group is among the first of its kind formed just months after the European nation’s general election in July. APPG for Vietnam attracted more than 30 members of the UK House of Commons and House of Lords, including Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Catherine West - a close friend of Vietnam.
Thang Long Art Gallery was honoured to showcase and introduce selected artworks imbued with Vietnamese culture to British politicians. The works are rich in materials from traditional lacquer and woodblock prints by master painter Phung Pham, to wood-burn paintings with skilful techniques filled with oriental beauty by artist Ngo Van Sac.
APPG Vietnam Chairman, MP Mark Hendrick, affirmed the Labour Government's commitment to further strengthening relations with Vietnam, highly appreciating the outstanding achievements in bilateral relations, emphasizing the potential in the fields of trade, science and technology, energy transition and people-to-people exchange.
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, MP Catherine West congratulated the members of APPG Vietnam and hoped that the Group would continue to contribute more to the development of the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership. MP Catherine West expressed her interest in Vietnamese contemporary art and especially admired the woodblock print artwork "Transplanting" by artist Phung Pham.
