This is the lobby on the first floor of Hanoi Library in Hanoi, Vietnam. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Margareth Theresia

Bilateral friendship with Vietnam has led to the April 18 opening of Hanoi Library in the Vietnamese capital.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Korea on April 18 announced its hosting of the library's opening ceremony. As the first project under a ministry initiative to renovate libraries overseas, the facility in Hanoi saw construction completed late last month.

As a cultural complex space, the library offers high-quality services to the Vietnamese public.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the ceremony attracted about 200 attendees including Korea's First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jeon Byung Geuk, Chairman of Vietnam's Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, library staff, Hanoi residents and children.

Since 2007, the ministry has promoted a project to build small libraries overseas as part of official development assistance. It has boosted the number of beneficiaries since 2020 and expanded support to develop public libraries.

The Hanoi facility was the first to receive support under the ministry project. It received aid for renovation of the first to third floors, materials and content, setup of an archive on Korea, and improvement of the working skills of library managers and librarians.

The ministry invited to Korea late last month six managers including the library's deputy director before the ceremony in Hanoi to share the culture and work trends of seven outstanding domestic libraries like the National Library of Korea, as well as conduct a training program to strengthen library management skills.

"We hope that Hanoi Library emerges as a leading complex cultural space for Hanoi residents and is an opportunity for strengthening friendship between Korea and Vietnam," Vice Minister Jeon said. "To continue development of sustainable education and culture worldwide, we will actively provide support by offering Korea's outstanding library services."

margareth@korea.kr