Vietnam, as the Guest of Honor Country, brings its books, cuisine, and traditional costumes to the 2025 Southern China Book Fair, a premier cultural event in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), spanning from August 15 to 19.

Nguyen Viet Dung, Vietnamese Consul General in Guangzhou, emphasized Guangdong's crucial role as a bridge in deepening China-Vietnam cultural ties during this significant year, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

"Come to Guangzhou for wonderful experiences not to be missed," Consul General Nguyen Viet Dung invited Vietnamese readers, highlighting the fair's importance beyond books. He described Vietnam's participation as a "great opportunity to introduce and promote Vietnam and its people" to Chinese and international audiences.

The Vietnamese pavilion offered visitors an immersive experience dubbed "Vietnam – Endless Charm," featuring captivating video clips, opportunities to savor distinctive Vietnamese foods and beverages like pho and banh mi, and displays of the elegant national costume, the Ao Dai. "The Ao Dai not only highlights the gentle and dignified beauty of Vietnamese women but also embodies subtlety, grace, and unique charm," the Consul General noted.

Nguyen Viet Dung underscored Guangdong's unique position in fostering these exchanges: "Guangdong is not only geographically close to Vietnam but also shares deep historical ties." Leveraging these advantages, especially strong economic links, as Nguyen Viet Dung noted, Guangdong will become an important bridge promoting China-Vietnam cultural exchanges, enabling a wider reach for Vietnamese culture within China and among international communities in Guangdong.

The deep-rooted connections between Guangdong and Vietnam, spanning history, arts, and cuisine, were evident. Vietnamese audiences enjoy Chinese films and TV dramas, while Vietnamese art forms like Cheo opera and Quan ho folk songs grace stages in Guangdong. Culinary exchange thrives, with Vietnamese dim sum and wonton noodles being common, just as Vietnamese dishes appear widely in cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

"The Southern China Book Fair is a bridge of bilateral knowledge and culture," Nguyen Viet Dung affirmed, pointing to the mutual translation of literary works and collaborative participation by publishers and authors. This platform, he stressed, is a "valuable opportunity" amidst the anniversary celebrations for both sides to "jointly explore, inherit, and innovate based on shared values," ultimately building a stronger foundation for bilateral relations and helping "forge a strategic community between the two countries."