On September 7, 2023, 9Pay representatives attended a commemorative concert at the Royal College of Music in London, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United Kingdom.
In celebration of the enduring diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the UK (1973-2023), seven renowned international artists presented a remarkable concert program featuring classical Vietnamese compositions. The event, which attracted nearly 400 participants, aims to raise funds to support three British charities operating in Vietnam, which are The Christina Noble Children's Foundation, Facing the World and Saigon Children's Charity.
Prior to this special occasion, 9Pay proudly assumed the role of the official sponsor for the concert, with the aspiration to make positive contributions to both societal development and diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United Kingdom.
The concert featured some famous Vietnamese and international artists, including pianists Tra Nguyen, Tomazz Lis and Shu-Wei Tseng, and violinists Stephane Tran Ngoc, Maryna Raievska, Abigail Dance and Phuong Hoang Linh Nguyen, who performed famous works by British, Vietnamese and world composers.
VUKN Chairman and former British Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Kent said that having famous Vietnamese artists perform at the Royal College of Music in London is a great way to honour the Vietnam-UK relationship, adding that it also raises awareness of the importance of cultural exchange between the two countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long said the VUKN has organised a meaningful event to mark two important milestones, namely 10 years of the establishment of the network and 50 years of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations. The Ambassador expressed pride that the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership is in its warmest period, in which people-to-people and cultural exchanges with the support of organisations like VUKN are key factors.
Addressing the event, Senator Richard Gilbey, vice chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vietnam said that the network is a really important part of the bilateral relationship.
Vietnam and the United Kingdom officially established diplomatic relations on September 11, 1973. Over the past 50 years, their economic relationship has thrived, with total merchandise and service trade between the UK and Vietnam reaching approximately £5.9 billion by the end of 2022, marking a 12.4% increase compared to the previous year. In the financial sector, the UK is a leading partner for Vietnam, actively supporting infrastructure development for innovative financial solutions.
9Pay's participation contributed significantly to the success of the event, underscoring the company's commitment to social responsibility and fostering cultural interactions between the two nations. Through the concert program, charitable organizations gained additional financial support to implement various projects benefiting children across Vietnam.
We hope that 9Pay's support, along with that of other businesses, will continue to create opportunities and benefits for both Vietnam and the United Kingdom, while spreading a message of friendship and partnership between the two countries in the future.