Vietnam and Mongolia strengthen friendship through traditional Tsagaan Sar Celebration
WVR - On the evening of February 5, in Hanoi, the Mongolian Embassy in Vietnam solemnly organized the traditional "Tsagaan Sar" (White Month) celebration of the Mongolian people in a warm and respectful atmosphere.
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| Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu and Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav perform the Flag Ceremony. Vietnam and Mongolia strengthen friendship through traditional Tsagaan Sar Celebration. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The ceremony was attended by Nguyen Minh Vu, Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; representatives from friendship associations, the Vietnamese business community; along with the entire staff of the Mongolian Embassy in Vietnam and a large number of Mongolian students studying and living in Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, Mongolian Ambassador to Vietnam Jigjee Sereejav expressed his delight in organizing the traditional Tsagaan Sar festival amidst the continuously strengthened and positively developing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The Ambassador warmly congratulated Vietnam on the successful organization of the 14th Party Congress, which set out important strategic goals and directions, leading Vietnam into a new era of national growth.
Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav emphasized that Mongolia firmly believes that under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by General Secretary To Lam, the Vietnamese people will continue to achieve new and greater victories in implementing the resolutions of the 14th Party Congress and successfully achieving the country's development goals in the coming time.
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| Mongolia's Ambassador to Vietnam Jigjee Sereejav speaking at the Tsagaan Sar (White Month) celebration. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On the occasion of Mongolia's traditional Tsagaan Sar and Vietnam's upcoming Lunar New Year of the Horse, Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav extended his best New Year wishes to the Government and people of Vietnam, wishing for the country's prosperity, happiness, and continuous improvement in living standards.
The Ambassador also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government, ministries, and localities of Vietnam for their invaluable support, cooperation, and assistance throughout his tenure in Vietnam, which significantly contributed to his successful completion of duties as Ambassador and positively promoted the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries.
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| Vietnam and Mongolia strengthen friendship through traditional Tsagaan Sar Celebration. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Expressing joy over the ongoing positive development of the "Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Mongolia", Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav affirmed that Mongolia consistently values and seeks to enhance effective, extensive, and long-term cooperation with Vietnam – a leading partner and "third neighbor" of Mongolia in Southeast Asia.
The Ambassador is confident that, based on high political trust and traditional bonds, the cooperative relationship between the two countries will continue to achieve many practical accomplishments in the future.
Speaking at the event, on behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu extended warm congratulations to the Government and people of Mongolia on the occasion of the traditional Tsagaan Sar, wishing the Mongolian people a new year of peace, prosperity, unity, and development.
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| Nguyen Minh Vu, Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking at the event. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mongolia is a precious asset built and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and generations of leaders from both countries, continuously strengthened and effectively developed across various fields over the years.
Notably, the official establishment of the "Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Mongolia" during the State visit to Mongolia by General Secretary and President To Lam in September 2024 marked a significant milestone, opening a new phase of bilateral cooperation.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that, in line with the foreign policy of the 14th Party Congress, in this era of national growth, Vietnam consistently values strengthening relations with traditional friendly partners, including Mongolia.
Vietnam seeks to continue closely coordinating with the Government and people of Mongolia to promote the "Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Mongolia" to develop strongly, substantively, and sustainably, in line with the common aspirations and interests of the peoples of both countries.
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| Nguyen Minh Vu, Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, presents a congratulatory bouquet to Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav for a successful tenure in Vietnam. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The Tsagaan Sar celebration took place in a friendly and amicable atmosphere, featuring many unique cultural exchange activities, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding, strengthening solidarity and bonds between the peoples of Vietnam and Mongolia, and positively contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
| The Mongolian traditional New Year (Tsagaan Sar - White Month/White Moon) originated from the New Year ceremonies of ancient Mongolian nomadic societies. Around 2000-3000 years ago, nomadic tribes from the Central Asian steppes followed a lunar cycle, worshiping the "Eternal Blue Sky", marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new herding year. At this time, the nomads did not yet call it "Tsagaan Sar" but still celebrated the New Year, survival rituals, and purification after winter. The meaning of "white" symbolized melting snow, livestock milk, and the return of life. From ancient times, Mongolians have revered milk as a symbol of the sacred and noble heart of a mother, considering it a sacred offering to the Blue Sky, Nature, and Mother Earth. Before and after the Mongol Empire era (10th-12th centuries), clearer names and rituals emerged. In 1206, Genghis Khan founded the Great Mongol State and decreed the organization of Tsagaan Sar in the Spring. During this period, the lunar and solar calendars were more stable, and the concept of "white month" began to appear in cultural life. New Year greetings, visits, and family hierarchy rituals were established. Some records from ancient Central Asia and China described Mongolians having a Spring New Year celebration, drinking milk, eating meat, and wishing longevity to the elderly. This tradition has been passed down to descendants through generations as a high moral value. Therefore, Mongolians named it "White Month", symbolizing a pure, pristine, and noble life like milk. |
