HA NOI :Sri Lankan musician,. Mohomed Iqbal has been awarded Third Prize at the 11th Viet Nam External Information Awards for his song named “Sing Song of Love, Peace and Friendship”, celebrating the long-standing friendship between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
On this occasion, Mohomed Iqbal was invited to Viet Nam to attend the Prize Presentation Ceremony, held on 12 December in Ha Noi, where he personally received the award from Foreign Minister of Viet Nam HE. Le Hoai Trung. Notably, the award-winning song was performed live by the artist and his wife at the Ceremony. The event was broadcast live on Viet Nam’s National Television (VTV), bringing the performance and its message of friendship to audiences nationwide and attracting significant public and media attention.
During his visit to Viet Nam, Mr. Mohammed Iqbal also performed and engaged with Vietnamese audiences through a song in honour of President Ho Chi Minh “Ho Ho Chi Minh” that he composed in 2013, and “Trong Com”, a traditional Vietnamese folk song that he learnt from the Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Mohomed Iqbal has nurtured a deep and enduring emotional connection with Viet Nam for decades. He was actively involved in the Sri Lanka’s movements in supporting Viet Nam during its war time and, over many years, has consistently participated in cultural activities, commemorative events honoring President Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam–Sri Lanka friendship. Through these long-standing efforts, he has played an important role in introducing and promoting Viet Nam’s values, history, and humanitarian ideals among the Sri Lankan public.
The recognition of a Sri Lankan musician at Viet Nam’s External Information Awards, together with the nationwide television broadcast of the award ceremony,- stands as a vivid testament to the enduring impact of cultural diplomacy and information dilomacy. It also underscores the important role of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening mutual understanding and further deepening the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka.
The award is a meaningful contribution to commemorative activities conducted by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka this year.
