The Ukraine-Vietnam 'Friendship Tree' keeps blossoming

(VNF) – To the Ambassador of Ukraine to Vietnam, the most significant mission is bringing the faraway country closer to Vietnam, helping the Vietnamese people gain more insights of Ukraine’s rich traditional culture. In a broader perspective, the diplomat particularly focuses on tightening the two nations’ ties in multiple aspects.

On occasion of the Lunar New Year 2018, Ambassador Oleksiy Shovkoplias shared his thoughts on the Vietnam – Ukraine bilateral relations and his memorable seven-and-a-half-year journey in Vietnam, in an interview with the Central Party of Vietnam News.

Ambassador Oleksiy Shovkoplias (L) (source: CPV)

(Q) What has kept you staying in Vietnam for such a long time? Can you share with us your experiences with your host country?

(A) I started taking office in Vietnam in July, 2010. It is considered a long post for diplomats like me. I am fond of your country, the people, the culture, tradition and their affection for other countries’ peoples and their representatives, like myself. That’s what make me feel happy with my tenure in Vietnam.

Regarding the experiences with Vietnam, there are a lot to talk about. The majority of them are related to my work, things I have fulfilled. My top priority is bringing Ukraine closer to Vietnam and fostering bilateral ties in all areas of cooperation. At the moment, I am glad to say that, the two countries’ relations have reached a new height, in terms of both quantity and quality.

A conference on lifting the Vietnam - Ukraine ties to a new height (source: VNA)

For instance, bilateral meetings have been frequently conducted at all levels, ranging from national leaders to the the peoples. This close tie has contributed tremendously to the significant increase of two-way trade value, as well as the sharp rise in the number of tourist arrivals.

Based on what we have achieved, Ukraine and Vietnam have set out our new goals and ambitions for the time to come.

How many time have you celebrated Tet festival in Vietnam? And which one left the greatest impression on your mind?

The Lunar New Year 2018, the year of the Dog, marks the 8th time I have celebrated Tet in Vietnam. My first Tet (2011) was the most memorable one. It was the first time I had the chance to behold the vivid colors of Hanoi streets when Tet was in the air. I was astounded to see local people used motorbikes to transport kumquat, peach blossoms trees. I even wondered: “How could they do that?”

But the crowded time did not last long, since many people later headed back to their hometown for the Tet reunion with their family.

I am also strongly impressed by the ‘xong dat’ (first day of Lunar New Year visit) custom of Vietnamese people. After doing a thorough research on this ritual, I have understood the exotic meaning of it.

According to Vietnamese traditional belief, the first day of the Lunar New Year has a significant influence on the rest of the year. I, myself, believe that my age ‘suits’ the land of Vietnam, that’s why my work here has been smooth sailing in the past seven years. To me, the peaceful, warm-welcoming Vietnam is an ideal nourishing land for the 'friendship tree' of Vietnam and Ukraine to keep blossoming and bearing sweet fruits.

At the same time, I notice that the Tet celebration in Vietnam shares a lot of similarities with the New Year celebration traditions in my home country. For instance, during Tet, Vietnamese people take account of giving lucky money to children, while in Ukraine, we pay attention to preparing gift for them, which are placed in small packages under the Christmas Tree.

In addition, similar to the Vietnamese custom, we also celebrate the new year with special dishes, which normally don’t appear in daily meals.

I really love the atmosphere of Tet in Vietnam, as this is the occasion for people to live more positively, forget about the unsuccessful, unpleasant incidents in the past year. Tet is also the time dedicated to family in both Vietnam and Ukraine.

What about your Tet celebration in Vietnam?

Before the holiday, we prepare some simple gifts for colleagues in the Embassy. It is amazing that in Vietnam, Ukrainians like us have the chance to enjoy three New Year celebrations a year, which are the universal New Year, the Ukraine's traditional New Year and the Vietnamese Tet.

Tet is when I and my colleagues can enjoy Vietnamese delicious festive cuisines such as banh chung and nem (fried springroll), and take time to catch up with one another, exchanging warm wishes for a great new year ahead. In the Lunar New Year Eve, I often receive a lot of season greeting messages from both Ukrainian and Vietnamese friends, which brings me delightful feeling.

Have you ever tried cooking any Vietnamese Tet special dish? Which one do you love the most?

I often observe Vietnamese people making traditional cuisines. I love cooking and have tried making you guys' traditional food a few time, but honestly, I am still better with Ukrainian dishes, which I have introduced to many Vietnamese friends.

Ambassador of Ukraine's favorite dish: Fried Springroll (source: Dan Viet)

Among all Vietnamese Tet food, Nem is the one I love the most. It is the dish that I can eat again and again without getting bored.

Thank you and may the new year bring you and staff of the Embassy good health, prosperity and success!./.

( Translated by Phi Yen )