According to VUFO, during his five-year tenure in Viet Nam, Ambassador Nazari and the Embassy of Iran in Viet Nam proactively organized various cultural and artistic exchange activities, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and connection between the two countries. Noteworthy events include two consecutive Iranian Film Weeks (2024, 2025), the exhibition “Iranian Art Heritage, the Cradle of Civilization” (2022), and “Colors and Patterns: The Path to Iranian Art” (2024). These initiatives introduced the Vietnamese public to the richness of Iranian culture, ranging from cinema and photography to traditional handicrafts such as carpets, hand-painted vases, and engraved and enameled copper plates.
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| VUFO President Phan Anh Son presents the “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” Medal to Iranian Ambassador to Viet Nam Ali Akbar Nazari. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
The Embassy of Iran in Viet Nam has closely collaborated with VUFO and the Viet Nam-Iran Friendship Association in organizing a range of people-to-people diplomacy activities, notably the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Iran (August 4, 1973 – August 4, 2023). Particularly, Ambassador Nazari connected the Governance and Policy Think Tank of Iran (GPTT) as a new partner of VUFO, leading to the successful organization of a virtual roundtable titled "West and East Asia: Similarities and Common Interests."
Speaking at the ceremony, VUFO President Phan Anh Son highly appreciated Ambassador Nazari’s active engagement in people-to-people diplomacy throughout his term. He highlighted the Ambassador as approachable and friendly, consistently initiating efforts to enhance connections between the two peoples as well as between the Iranian Embassy and VUFO. Many effective initiatives were carried out, including academic seminars, cultural exchanges, art programs, and tourism promotion activities.
Phan Anh Son also expressed his hope that both sides will continue organizing programs to share information about Iran’s land and people, as well as the potential for cooperation between the two countries. He proposed that a VUFO and Vietnam-Iran Friendship Association delegation consider a working visit to Tehran in the near future. According to him, the awarding of the Medal is a well-deserved recognition of Ambassador Nazari’s dedication and enduring efforts to strengthen people-to-people relations between Viet Nam and Iran.
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| Iranian Ambassador to Viet Nam Ali Akbar Nazari presents VUFO President Phan Anh Son with a collection of poems by renowned Iranian poet Omar Khayyam. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Expressing his honor in receiving the medal and the affection from VUFO, Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari shared that his five-year tenure in Viet Nam, longer than usual, was a period that left profound marks on his diplomatic career. He emphasized that the relationship between the Iranian Embassy and VUFO was built on trust and substantial cooperation, reflected through numerous cultural exchange programs, seminars, and tourism promotion events.
Affirming that Viet Nam always holds a special place in his heart, Ambassador Nazari stated that regardless of his future position, he will continue contributing to the development and consolidation of the two countries' friendship. He expressed his desire to maintain cooperation with VUFO in the future and extended an invitation to the leadership of VUFO and the Viet Nam-Iran Friendship Association to visit Tehran to further advance people-to-people cooperation between the two sides.
Source: Vietnamtimes
