Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai talked about how the International Day of Happiness is celebrated in Vietnam in a recent interview granted to a Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reporter.
(VOV) – Vietnam is for the first time celebrating International Day of Happiness on March 20 with the aim of improving the quality of life and building a happier society.
Reporter: 2014 is the first year Vietnam is marking the Day of Happiness. Could you please tell about the history and the meaning of this day?
Mr Ai: Happiness is an issue that captures the attention of people throughout the world.
According to a United Nations assessment, gross national happiness indexes (HPI) assessing happiness is based on differing factors like economic and material wealth, education and the environment which vary in countries.
Consequently, in 2012 the UN Secretary General rather subjectively declared March 20 to be observed as International Day of Happiness.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai
Vietnam Family Year is also celebrated every year with the intention of building a model of a sustainable family towards a healthy and happy life.
Reporter: “Love and Sharing” is the theme of the International Day of Happiness, which has been celebrated for the first time in Vietnam this year. Can you elaborate on the reason why the theme has been chosen?
Mr Ai: All people face different circumstances, therefore, we need to share to bring happiness and promote the well-being of people from all walks of life. Vietnam has responded to the theme “Love and Sharing” to foster happiness for all.
Reporter: How has the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) coordinated with other relevant agencies to organise the event?
Mr Ai: The Ministry is working with other ministries to gear up for the week-long event. The Vietnam Women’s Union and other associations have launched diverse activities such as forums, contests, training courses pertaining to family and community life to raise public awareness of Happiness Day and encourage more action to be taken to help everyone enjoy a better life.
Reporter: What programmes or plans will the Ministry work out to encourage the people and families to become actively involved in the annual event in the time to come?
Mr Ai: The Ministry has submitted a Day of Happiness project with different road maps until 2020 to the Government Prime Minister for approval.
This year’s first celebration aims to help the community gain full awareness of the significance of the Day.
We are also intent on launching writing contests about movies, music, arts and plays to promote movements to build cultural life-style families and combat domestic violence, under which, we will consider and choose the specific themes for each year.
Reporter: Thank you very much.
The annual celebration of International Day of Happiness was founded in June 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly. As many as 193 member countries, including Vietnam, have pledged to jointly build a merrier world.
The initiative to declare the Happiness Day came from Bhutan – a small country located in South Asia whose citizens are considered to be some of the happiest people in the world.
In 2012, Vietnam was ranked as the world’s second happiest country by the UK’s New Economic Foundation, behind Costa Rica.
Day of Happiness brings families closer Related image(s)
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