International participating teams from 77 nations and territories along with the host’s delegates gathered at Hanoi’s National Convention Centre on July 21st, 2014 to enjoy a colorful opening ceremony for the 46th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2014).
CULTURALLY-RICH CEREMONY OPENS ICHO 2014
International participating teams from 77 nations and territories along with the host’s delegates gathered at Hanoi’s National Convention Centre on July 21st, 2014 to enjoy a colorful opening ceremony for the 46th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2014). The celebration was witnessed by the attendance of 524 members from the international teams and more than 1000 Vietnamese delegates from local authorities, the press and media, relevant committees and also students from high schools for gifted students in Hanoi, among others. The National Convention Centre is one of the most modern venues for conferences and international events in Vietnam. So, the fact that the 46th IChO is being held here demonstrates the significance of this competition as well as the consideration given to this event by the host and its organizing committees.
To open the ceremony, the audience was immersed in a rich cultural atmosphere featuring many traditional performances during the first half of the celebration.
A symphony of Đàn Đá (A musical instrument used by Vietnamese ethnic groups in the Central Highlands) named “Âm vang đại ngàn” performed by artists from the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
Graceful Vietnamese ladies in the traditional Ao Dai and “Non quai thao” (conical hat) performing an item entitled “Duyên nón ba tầm”
Đàn Bầu – an originally Vietnamese musical instrument. The artist has created countless captivating sound with just one long string
Moved by the song “Hello Vietnam” performed by Mỹ Linh
Youthful spirit in the performance of “We are the world” by students from Hanoi – Amsterdam high school for the gifted
In the second half of the ceremony, Vietnamese representatives for IChO 2014 and Dr. Peter Wothers, the International Chemistry Olympiad Chairman, made their opening speeches.
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Vinh Hien makes his opening speech
Minister Pham Vu Luan, on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Training, expresses Vietnam’s honor at hosting IChO 2014
Dr. Peter Wothers eases the atmosphere with his humorous and meaningful words
Proud faces on hearing the names of their countries’ being presented
The opening ceremony was a great success, thanks to the diligence and preparation of the relevant committees, especially the organizing board. Yet, after this opening ceremony, there are still eight days of competition ahead. As Minister Pham Vu Luan said, “I would like to wish our international guests and students an exciting week with great memories of Vietnam! We hope the students achieve the best results and, most importantly, that this is a good opportunity for the contestants, and indeed all of us, to build international solidarity for a better world, a brighter future! Have a successful contest!”