Beijing, March 20, AZERTAC Co-organized by the Embassies of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in Vietnam, the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism has hosted an event celebrating Novruz holiday. The event brought together representatives of state and government agencies, cultural and public figures, businessmen of Vietnam, ambassadors of Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Panama, Cambodia and Palestine to Vietnam, diplomats, members of Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association, Vietnamese studied in Azerbaijan, media representatives, as well as Azerbaijanis living in Vietnam. Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Vietnam Shovgi Mehdizade noted that Novruz holiday has a special place in the centuries-old history of Azerbaijani people, adding that it is celebrated every year by world Azerbaijanis with great enthusiasm. He also mentioned the similarities between Novruz holiday and the Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet holiday. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Vietnam Kanat Tumysh, Rector of Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism and Honorary Chairman of Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association Nghiem Vu Khai conveyed their congratulations on the occasion of Novruz holiday. The speakers highlighted the importance of this holiday in promoting cultural and diplomatic relations, as well as developing traditional ties of friendship between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Vietnam. Attendees had the opportunity to taste delicious Azerbaijani dishes such as pilaf, dolma and kababs, and sweets (shakarbura, pakhlava, etc.) while enjoying traditional Azerbaijani and Vietnamese music performed by Vietnamese alumni and college students. The participants also joined traditional dances, as well as jumped over the Novruz bonfire. Shahin JafarovSpecial correspondent