Celebrating 30 years of Vietnam's ASEAN membership in Kazakhstan
WVR - On August 23, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, the Vietnamese Embassy, together with the Embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, co-hosted the ASEAN Summer Festival 2025, an event vibrant with Southeast Asian colours,
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| The Ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam (from left to right) at the ASEAN Summer Festival 2025. |
The festival was part of the celebrations marking the 58th anniversary of ASEAN's founding. The event attracted around 700 guests, including leaders from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ASEAN ambassadors, the diplomatic corps, artists, the local community, and numerous residents of Astana.
Attendees were immersed in an ASEAN cultural space filled with engaging activities: music performances, traditional dances, fashion shows, cooking classes, photo exhibitions, food fairs, and interactive games. The event featured an impressive Pencak Silat performance by Checep Arif Rahman, a renowned Indonesian film star and martial artist.
Stalls from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia showcased traditional dishes, national costumes, and exquisite handicrafts to international friends. Vietnam's booth stood out with its ao dai, non la, spring rolls, and Vietnamese coffee, drawing many visitors. This was not only a cultural experience but also a bridge of friendship, helping the Kazakh public better understand the diversity and richness of Southeast Asian nations.
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| The Vietnamese Embassy and community in Kazakhstan attending the festival. |
In his speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pham Thai Nhu Mai emphasized that 2025 holds special significance as it marks 30 years since Vietnam joined ASEAN. In 1995, Vietnam officially became the 7th member of the Association, marking a pivotal shift in its foreign policy and international integration. From a modest economy with a per capita GDP of less than 400 USD, Vietnam has risen to 35th in the world, with a per capita GDP of approximately 4,500 USD, ranking among the top 20 countries globally in attracting investment and trade.
“These achievements are not solely Vietnam's but part of ASEAN's collective success... In today's vibrant atmosphere in Kazakhstan, we deeply appreciate the value of the principle 'Unity in Diversity', which has bonded ASEAN for nearly six decades and will continue to guide future cooperation with Kazakhstan and Central Asia,” Ambassador Pham Thai Nhu Mai emphasized.
Beyond cultural promotion, ASEAN Ambassadors also shared goals to enhance cooperation in trade, education, and especially tourism. In 2024, around 200,000 Kazakh tourists visited Thailand, 150,000 visited Vietnam, 50,000 visited Malaysia, and 21,000 visited Indonesia. ASEAN aims to increase the total number of Kazakh visitors to the region to 1 million annually, while targeting trade turnover with Kazakhstan to reach 5 billion USD.
The ASEAN Summer Festival 2025 offered the people of Astana a colorful celebration where music, cuisine, and Southeast Asian culture blended in an atmosphere of friendship and connection. The event left a strong impression, affirming that cultural diplomacy is a sustainable bridge linking ASEAN and Kazakhstan, marking a meaningful journey of Vietnam-ASEAN collaboration.
Some images promoting Vietnamese culture at the event:
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| Cultural diplomacy is a sustainable bridge linking ASEAN and Kazakhstan. |
(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Kazakhstan)
