Vietnam: Minister of State for External Affairs and Education [MoS(RRS)] Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh visited Vietnam to participate in the third edition of North East India Festival (NEIF) in Ho Chi Minh City from 27-29 October 2023. The first and second editions of NEIF were held in 2019 and 2022 in Bangkok.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement, "MoS(RRS) inaugurated NEIF along with H.E. Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and H.E. Mr. Nguyen Long Bien, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Ninh Thuan. There was also ministerial and senior official representation from North Eastern States of India in NEIF."
"Organised by the Embassy of India, Hanoi, Consulate General of India, Ho Chi Minh City in collaboration with Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, various state governments of North East India and coordinated by M/s Trend MMS, NEIF saw participation of large number of dignitaries, entrepreneurs, academic institutions and artists from both India and Vietnam. Seminars and exhibition of products including handicrafts from North East India were organised as part of the event", Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said in its statement.
MoS(RRS) also had a productive bilateral meeting with the Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee H.E. Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong. During the visit, MoS (RRS) interacted with Indian community members in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said in its statement that NEIF aimed to promote closer cooperation between India and Vietnam and enhance awareness of India’s North Eastern region which is key to India's 'Act East Policy'.
