VietNam
On 25th August, the ceremony to inaugurate Hoi An Garden in Wernigerode City was organized on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of friendship relations between Hoi An City (Quang Nam Province, Vietnam) and Wernigerode City (Saxony-Anhalt State, Germany) (2013 - 2023).
Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc, Director of Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation said that the center has been assigned by Hoi An City to be in charge of the connection and cooperation to build Hoi An Garden at Miniaturen Park.
The highlight of the garden is the transmission of the cultural and historical stories of Hoi An through works made from floodwood by artisan Le Ngoc Thuan (home town in Cam An, Hoi An).
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee said that Hoi An City is located downstream of Thu Bon River, in Quang Nam province, Central Vietnam. Thanks to the advantage of geographical location and favorable natural conditions, from the very beginning, Hoi An has had a relationship of exchange and trade of goods with many places at home and abroad.
Especially, in the 17th – 18th centuries, Hoi An was a busy international trade port, where merchant ships from many countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands, France, England, Japan, and China came to trade. Along with trading activities is the exchange, integration and acculturation. All have contributed to forming an ancient town of Hoi An with outstanding global values, then Hoi An was recognized as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1999.
Besides, the natural environment of the estuary - sea and island of Hoi An with outstanding features of ecological landscape and biodiversity, in 2009, Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An became a World Biosphere Reserve.
From the titles recognized by UNESCO, Hoi An has become a famous cultural tourist destination of Vietnam and the world. This is the similarity between the ancient and poetic Hoi An city of Vietnam and Wernigerode, known as the "colorful city" of Germany.
"On 26th July 2013, Hoi An and Wernigerode signed an agreement in the cooperation relationship between the two cities. Up to now, two cities have cooperated and exchanged in economy, culture, education, tourism, science and environment. Many activities were implemented including Hoi An Lantern Festival in Wernigerode, German Beer Festival in Hoi An, Wernigerode City helped people in Cam Kim - Hoi An damaged by storms and floods, and support Hoi An workers to study and work in Wernigerode. Especially, sun energy projects at Song Hoai Square funded by the city of Wernigerode and the German Government”, Mr. Nguyen Van Son informed.
Since the beginning of 2023, the two sides have carried out activities towards the 10th anniversary of the establishment of friendly relations. The two sides signed a bilateral cooperation action program on climate change. Hoi An city is coordinating with Wernigerode city to build the Hoi An Ecological Road project. When completed, the project will open an attractive eco-tourist route, contributing to raising awareness of environmental protection towards sustainable development.
Especially, with the support of Wernigerode City, Hoi An was honored to establish "Hoi An Garden" at Miniaturen Park. Hoi An Garden will bring discoveries and experiences peaceful land, warm love, diverse and unique cultural heritage of Hoi An to the Wernigerode people and visitors.
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