Painting progress: A Vietnamese boy shows his painting at a contest organised by the Indian consulate in HCM City on Saturday. — VNS Photo Van Dat

HCM CITY (VNS) — Some 70 Indian and Vietnamese children vividly depicted their impressions about India and friendship between the two nations at a painting contest organised by the Indian consulate in HCM City on Saturday.

Deepak Mittal, the Indian consul, who was keenly interested in the paintings, said he was surprised by Vietnamese children's knowledge about Indian culture.

"The Indian flag, dress, skin colour, beautiful landscapes of India have been depicted vividly in their paintings," he said.

"I am impressed. Many of them have not visited India before, but the Taj Mahal has been featured well in their paintings.

"India and Viet Nam enjoy civilisational links and spiritual bonds of friendship over centuries.

"The outstanding works by the children have amply brought out the strong solidarity between India and Viet Nam."

The consulate said the best works would be used for desk calendars and be shown at an exhibition to be organised soon.

At the event at the HCM City General Sciences Library, a permanent "India Corner" with materials and books on Indian culture was set up.

It is equipped with a computer to provide Vietnamese youth information on various facets of India.

It has been set up with support from Indian company Godrej Vietnam.

The contest was organised by the consulate together with the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations and the library.

The consulate said one more similar contest would be organised this year and annually here after to stimulate cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Indians and Vietnamese. — VNS