(VOVworld) – Vietnam-India friendship and cooperation is a valuable asset that must be nurtured and promoted by every Vietnamese and Indian citizen. That is the message of the 6^th Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival opening in Hanoi on Monday.

Vietnamese artists perform in the opening ceremony. (Photo: Anh Huyen/VOVworld)

In his opening address, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association Ha Minh Hue said Vietnam and India have taken turns organizing the festival since 2007. This event gives participants an opportunity to recall the solidarity tradition and discuss measures to boost relations between both sides’ people and their organizations, so as to bring bilateral agreements into practice.

Vietnamese and Indian participants together pose for a photo. (Photo: Anh Huyen/VOVworld)

Devi Prasad Tripathi, General Secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party and Vice Chairman of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization, said: "Under the fast-changing global scenario, it’s highly necessary to enhance and develop our bilateral relations in various fields. There are more talks taking place at government to government level. It’s good but not enough. The strategic partnership agreement between the two nations inked in 2007 is an important landmark of improved relationship between India and Vietnam. It’s important for both that their strategic interests do not integrate into any powers’ desire. As a result, the relations need to be enhanced in both bilateral and multilateral forums, especially in area of developing people to people relations."

The 6-day event will draw 30 Indian representatives from political, social, and art organizations to participate in culture exchanges in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh city.