This is the most prestigious award of the Italian Republic, recognizing the outstanding contributions of Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa to promoting cultural cooperation between the two countries over the past years.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Vietnam, Mr. Marco Della Seta, said that in more than 20 years of his career, Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa has made important contributions to building a close cultural relationship between Italy and Vietnam, as well as developing and implementing bilateral cultural cooperation initiatives. Some outstanding achievements include Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa playing a pioneering role in establishing the Casa Italia; directly managing the development and signing of the Cultural Cooperation Program between the Governments of Vietnam and Italy for the period 2023-2026; organizing a special art program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries at the Italian Presidential Palace... Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa is currently a member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam - Italy Friendship Association. “Today’s award is not only a recognition for Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa personally, but will also contribute to further strengthening the successful cooperative relationship for the mutual benefits of both Vietnam and Italy,” the Italian Ambassador affirmed.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa was moved to share her honor and pride in receiving the Order of Merit from the Italian Republic. Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa reiterated the direction of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung on "Determined action, aspiration to contribute, do small things with great love". "That motto is very true to what I have always believed: Give your all, work with responsibility and love, and all those efforts will be recognized", said the Director of the Department of International Cooperation.
Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa also emphasized: “This noble award is not only a recognition for me personally but also a recognition of the dedication of the Department of International Cooperation, those who have been, are and will continue to make tireless efforts to promote international exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and the people of other countries, including the Italian people”. She also expressed her belief that the award will continue to motivate and inspire her as well as the officials of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the journey to contribute to strengthening and deepening the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy.
In recent years, Vietnam - Italy cooperation in the fields of culture, sports and tourism has been constantly developing with many meaningful marks. In 2023, the two governments signed the Cultural Cooperation Program for the period 2023-2026, which is an important basis to continue promoting both the quantity and quality of bilateral cultural cooperation activities. In 2024, many cultural exchange events were successfully organized, notably the tour of the Italian World Youth Orchestra in Vietnam with the participation of artists from the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts and the Galleria Borghese Museum (Italy) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation..., contributing to strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
