India-Vietnam : Joint Issue 2023

October 16, 2023

India-Vietnam : Joint Issue 2023

Complete set of 2 nos. of commemorative postage stamps on 50 Years of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Viet Nam : Martial Art : Kalaripayattu (Kerala, India) and Vovinam Viet Vo Dao (Vietnam) :

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 16, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Souvenir Sheet on ‘50 Years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam’ which will further strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Shri Brahm Prakash
Cancellation Cachet : Mrs. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 & 500 Paise

Souvenir Sheet Price : 3000 each

Souvenir Sheet Printed : 1.12 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

India and Vietnam share traditionally close and cordial bilateral relations. Mahatma Gandhi and President Ho Chi Minh, regarded as the Father of Nation in India and Vietnam respectively, led people in their heroic struggle against colonialism in their respective countries. India was the Chairman of the International Commission for Supervision and Control formed pursuant to the Geneva Accord of 1954 to facilitate the peace process in Vietnam. India established full diplomatic relations with unified Vietnam on 7 January 1972.
Bilateral relations between the two countries have been elevated to the level of “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” during Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016. The current development of India–Vietnam relations are guided by a historic ‘Joint Vision for Peace Prosperity and People’ adopted by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc during the Virtual Summit held on 21 December 2020. On the sidelines of the Virtual Summit, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries also signed a Plan of Action for the period 2021-23 to implement the Joint Vision. In 2022-23, the two countries are celebrating the 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations that also coincides with the 75^th anniversary of India’s independence “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
India has a long-standing development partnership with Vietnam that has made positive contributions towards capacity building, sustainable development goals (SDGs) and socioeconomic development under bilateral and ASEAN framework. Under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation Framework, India has been taking up Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in various provinces of Vietnam for development of community infrastructure at grassroot levels. Vietnam is an active participant of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and other scholarships.
India and Vietnam share historical and civilizational links, including through their shared heritage of Buddhism and Cham traditions. The Government of India commissioned the Archaeological Survey of India for restoration and conservation of 3 Group of temples in My Son sanctuary of Vietnam. The restoration work has been completed following all specifications, quality and international standards and norms and in accordance to the MoU signed between India and Vietnam. Yoga is another link between the people of India and Vietnam and is very popular among the people of Vietnam. Thousands of Vietnamese people participate in the International Day of Yoga at multiple locations in Vietnam in June every year. Launching direct flights between the two countries in 2019 and implementation of a simplified visa regime travel have boosted travel for leisure, business and cultural purposes between the two countries.
India & Vietnam has a lot of affinity in sports also. A martial art with a legacy of more than 3000 years, Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art form of Kerala, India is regarded as the oldest and most scientific of all martial arts in the world. Kalaripayattu combines a wide range of combat techniques from empty hand combat to a wide range of weaponry including long staff, short stick, curved stick, sword and shield, spear, mace and flexible sword (urumi). A blend of yoga, meditation, relaxation and self-defense techniques, Kalaripayattu these days is gaining prominence and popularity.
In Vietnam, (Vovinam Viet Vo Dao) was founded by Grand Master Nguyen Loc in 1936, with the desire to improve the self-defense and fighting ability of Vietnamese people in the fight to expel the French colonialists and to gain national independence. Vovinam combines the quintessence of traditional Vietnamese martial arts and the world’s martial arts, being famous for high-flying and neck-clamping blows. So far, Vovinam has been developed with more than 2 million students in many countries and territories around the world. In 2011, Vovinam was first included in the official competition program at the 26^th SEA Games held in Indonesia.
A Joint Postage Stamp depicting Kalaripayattu and Vovinam is an opportunity to promote the national identity of India & Vietnam. This Joint Postage Stamp also celebrates the strong cultural, social & political links between these two national allies of the region.
Text : Referenced from content provided by Ministry of External Affairs.