Marking 50 years of UK–Vietnamese diplomatic relations and 30 years of the British Council’s presence in Viet Nam, the UK/Viet Nam Season 2023 took place across Viet Nam and the United Kingdom from June to December 2023.
The UK/Viet Nam Season 2023 aimed to elevate the bilateral cultural relationship by providing new opportunities for individuals and organisations from the UK and Viet Nam, while also strengthening the people-to-people links between the two countries.
A total of nearly 30 billion dong (£946,000) supported 30 collaborative projects from the UK and Viet Nam across three strands: Arts, Education and English. This funding for Vietnamese professionals was on top of the support offered through our regular British Council programming – collaborative exchanges, delegations, conferences, and events.
The UK/Viet Nam Season focused on two themes – Shared Heritage and Climate and the Environment – with partners, audiences and participants encouraged to explore the themes, different perspectives, and gain new insights into the relationship between the UK and Viet Nam.
New data from an independent evaluation report by The Audience Agency and commissioned by the British Council, revealed that:
- 97 per cent of projects reported that the Season facilitated the development of their professional network.
- 100 per cent stated that they or their organisation forged new connections with individuals or organisations.
- 100 per cent affirmed their integration into a wider intercultural and international network.
- 90 per cent expressed increased confidence in forming connections and building professional relationships with people from cultures different from their own.
Majority of the projects were able to discover new opportunities to work in the UK and Viet Nam, understand the arts and cultural sector/higher education sector and learn more about academic research opportunities in both countries. Throughout the UK/Viet Nam Season a total of 313 activities and events were delivered across the 30 projects from June to December 2023, with an estimated engagement of about 242,700 including 236,725 in-person and over 5,975 online.
Donna McGowan, Director Viet Nam, British Council said:
“The UK/Viet Nam Season stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and shared aspirations. It celebrated 30 years of successful collaborations, launched new projects, fostered networking opportunities, and laid the groundwork for future partnerships. The connections made during this Season will undoubtedly pave the way for continued mutual advancement, contributing to the cultural richness, and fostering educational excellence in both nations. As we bid farewell to this transformative Season, its legacy of creativity, connection, and collaborative excellence will endure, inspiring future generations to build upon the foundations laid by the British Council.”
The UK/Viet Nam Season exemplifies the enduring power of collaboration and cultural exchange. We look ahead with optimism, knowing that the connections forged and insights gained during the Season will continue to inspire and shape the future of UK–Vietnamese relations.
The British Council remains committed to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, ensuring that the legacy of creativity, connection, and collaboration endures for generations to come.