On the afternoon of June 10, 2026, the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs held a coordination meeting with the Embassy of India in Vietnam and representatives of relevant city agencies and organizations, including the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Hai Phong Police Department, Hai Phong Yoga Association, and leaders of 15 local yoga clubs, to discuss preparations for International Day of Yoga 2026 in Hai Phong.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs, chairs the meeting
During the meeting, participants reviewed proposals presented by the Embassy of India and Hai Phong Yoga Association. As this marks the fifth time the city and the Embassy have jointly organized the event, discussions focused on the positive outcomes achieved through previous events and explored new measures to further enhance the quality and outreach of this year’s program. Delegates also exchanged views on security and safety arrangements, communications activities, and other necessary preparations aimed at attracting broad public participation and promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyles across the city.
This year’s event is particularly meaningful as Vietnam and India prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership later this year. It will also provide an opportunity to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges and deepen cooperation between Hai Phong City and the Embassy of India in Vietnam.
Participants agreed to assign Hai Phong Yoga Association to work directly with the Embassy in overseeing the program’s professional and technical content. Empowering the Association to play a leading role is expected to help ensure the event’s professional quality while enhancing its capacity to engage with international partners. This, in turn, will contribute to expanding future exchange programmes, cooperation initiatives, and yoga promotion activities across the city.
Mr. Bastian N. Chacko, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India in Vietnam and Embassy officials at the meeting
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Bastian N. Chacko, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India in Vietnam, expressed confidence that, with the close coordination of the city’s agencies and organizations and the support of the Embassy, the program would be successfully organized and continue to serve as a signature cultural diplomacy event between the Embassy and Hai Phong City.
Delegates at the meeting pose for a group photo
Compared with previous years, Hai Phong has undergone significant urban transformation and tourism infrastructure development, marked by the emergence of major projects such as the Dragon Ocean International Tourist Area and the Royal Island Eco-tourism Complex in Vu Yen Island. These developments provide favorable conditions for the city to select suitable venues for hosting the event, while also helping promote Hai Phong’s image, support tourism development, and attract more visitors to the city.
International Day of Yoga 2026, themed “Yoga for Healthy Aging”, is expected to be held on July 5, 2026, at European Royal Square in Vu Yen Park pedestrian street, with the participation of approximately 400 members from yoga clubs across the city.