Leyla Aliyeva Holds Key Meetings in Vietnam to Strengthen Educational and Cultural Ties

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, conducted a series of high-level meetings during her official visit to Vietnam, aimed at reinforcing the long-standing friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Azerbaijan and Vietnam.

As part of her program, Aliyeva visited the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, where she engaged with representatives of Vietnam’s creative industries, leaders of educational institutions, and Vietnamese alumni who had studied in Azerbaijan during the Soviet era. The discussions served to highlight the enduring cultural and educational bonds between the two nations.

Established in 1965, the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism is one of Vietnam’s premier institutions in its field, offering over 50 academic and professional training programs to approximately 3,000 students. The meeting provided a platform to explore avenues for further academic cooperation and student exchange initiatives.

The discussions emphasized the historical ties between the Azerbaijani and Vietnamese peoples, underscoring the pivotal role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in laying the foundation for these relations. Special attention was paid to the significance of President Ilham Aliyev’s 2014 state visit to Vietnam, which marked a major milestone in strengthening bilateral ties.

The contributions of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, were also commended. Notable among these was the Foundation’s support for social and educational projects in Vietnam, including the construction of a primary school in Hà Giang Province.

In a gesture of continued support for education, a financial support certificate from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was presented to the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism.

Aliyeva also met with Vietnamese graduates who studied in Azerbaijan between 1968 and 1990. It was noted that these alumni have played an instrumental role in promoting bilateral relations. Following Heydar Aliyev’s visit to Vietnam in 1983, the number of Vietnamese students pursuing education in Azerbaijan rose significantly, with nearly 5,000 Vietnamese citizens studying there during the Soviet period.

The meeting concluded with a cultural presentation of Azerbaijani cuisine by renowned international chef David Israfilov, Vice President of the World Barbecue Association, offering a taste of Azerbaijan’s rich culinary heritage to the Vietnamese audience.

Aliyeva’s visit reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Azerbaijan and Vietnam to further deepen cooperation in education, culture, and people-to-people diplomacy.