The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ha Noi celebrated the Vietnamese Women’s Day on 20th October 2017 at the residence of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam. An important national holiday, the Vietnamese Women’s Day falls on the anniversary of the founding of the Viet Nam Women’s Union on 20th October 1930.
The event commenced with time for informal interaction among the guests and screening of a series of Sri Lanka tourism promotion video clips.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Viet Nam Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake welcomed the guests, which also included 50 Vietnamese women who have excelled in numerous fields ranging from politics, economics, academic & research, science & technology to media and performing arts. The Ambassador appreciated the role played by the Vietnamese women in country’s development especially since independence, and congratulated them on their achievements. She highlighted the importance of the participation of females in the economy in achieving national goals for sustainable economic development.
Ambassador Dissanayake further stated that although according to recent statistics Sri Lanka is lagging behind in terms of the percentage of females in the labour force when compared with Viet Nam, Sri Lanka has had several female pioneers, such as the first female Prime Minister in the world - Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike and the first Asian female member of the Royal Institute of British Architects - Ms. Minnette de Silva. She also noted that the first Sri Lankan to climb Mt. Everest, Jayanthi Kuru-utumpala too was a female.
Ms. Bui Thi Hoa, Vice Chairwoman of Viet Nam Women’s Union commended the Ambassador of Sri Lanka for organizing the event, noting that it was also a first, by an Ambassador accredited to Viet Nam. Ms. Astrid Bant, UNFPA Representative and the new UN Women Country Representative Ms. Elisa Fernandez Saenz, also spoke at the event.
Participants were also shown a Power Point presentation that highlighted the whole range of tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, including the 08 UNESCO world Heritage sites, nature & wildlife, beaches, hill country, gems, spices, handloom, handicrafts and ayurvedic spa treatments, etc.
The guests were treated to a sumptuous Sri Lankan buffet. They also had Ceylon Cinnamon and tourism brochures as take away gifts.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Ha Noi
20th October 2017
Presentation on Sri Lanka
Remarks by Ms. Bui Thi Hoa, Vice Chairwoman of Viet Nam Women’s Union
Remarks by UN Women
