Working with three local artists, staff at the U.S. Consulate General took time out today to paint three large canvases for the 20th anniversary of Vietnamese-U.S. diplomatic relations. The paintings represent Washington D.C., Ho Chi Minh City, and a specially designed logo that celebrates the twentieth anniversary of re-establishing diplomatic relations.
Preparations for the project began two months ago, when the Consulate General decided to highlight the 20thanniversary through artwork. A number of designs were considered. The choice was to depict Washington D.C. and Ho Chi Minh City, specifically, through a mix of famous iconic buildings.
“It is an important anniversary and we have a lot to celebrate,” said Consul General Rena Bitter. “As Secretary of State Kerry said on his most recent visit to Vietnam, no two countries have come further together faster than the United States and Vietnam. Significant groundwork for the anniversary was laid in 2013 when President Sang and President Obama agreed to a Comprehensive Partnership between our two countries, identifying areas in which we have been cooperating, and will continue to cooperate. Our 20th anniversary celebrations highlight this cooperation, and are taking place throughout the country during the whole year.”
Artists Nguyen Hai Anh, Le Anh Can, and Nguyen T. Hoai Thuong helped organize the project, and showed Consulate General staff how to paint the canvases. The paintings will hang at the Consulate General in a public area of the visa section, where many Vietnamese will have a chance to see them.
