Odisha Governor Proposes Province-Level Ties with Vietnam’s Da Nang City

Strengthening Cultural and Economic Bonds Through Buddhism and Cooperation

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati led a delegation to Vietnam to accompany the sacred relics of Lord Buddha back to India and proposed province-level ties between Odisha and Vietnam’s Da Nang city. The suggestion was made during his meeting with H.E. Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.

Highlighting Odisha’s rich history, cultural heritage, and economic growth, Governor Kambhampati emphasized that both regions share deep-rooted Buddhist traditions and could benefit from closer collaboration. “We also have many important Buddhist sites. If Da Nang is interested, we can explore building ties between our two regions,” he said.

The Governor praised Da Nang as a vibrant and scenic city making rapid strides in development. “Da Nang has a vision to become a major port, a centre for high technology, finance, and tourism,” he remarked. Its strategic location as a coastal city in central Vietnam makes it a key player in enhancing economic and trade cooperation between India and Vietnam, he added.

Kambhampati expressed heartfelt thanks to the Vietnamese government and the people of Da Nang for their warm reception and arrangements surrounding the sacred relics of Lord Buddha. He noted the relics received an overwhelming response from the local population. “These relics are accorded the highest protocol by the Government of India, and I have personally travelled to accompany them back,” he shared.

The Governor stressed the centuries-old cultural connection between the two nations through Buddhism. “Buddhism has been a strong link between India and Vietnam for nearly 1,800 years. India deeply values its Buddhist heritage and is committed to preserving and promoting it globally,” he stated.

He also pointed to the strengthening ties between India and Vietnam, citing the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s visit to India last year and the 2024 meeting in New York between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnam’s President and Party General Secretary To Lam as key moments in the growing relationship.

Governor Kambhampati highlighted expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, tourism, health, digital economy, education, and sustainable development. He praised Da Nang’s collaboration with the Indian Embassy in promoting yoga, cultural exchange, and academic partnerships.

Additionally, he shared his visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at My Son and appreciated the efforts of the Indian archaeological team in restoring ancient temples. “This project is a strong symbol of the close historical and cultural connection between India and Vietnam,” he concluded.