This visit was far more than a typical field trip; it was a journey of mutual understanding, empathy, and the bridging of humanitarian values across borders.

Products Instead of Speech: Connecting Hearts

From the very first moments, the workshop at Kymviet became more vibrant than ever. The sight of Crescent students intently listening to the story of Kymviet’s foundation and the inspiring resilience of our artisans with disabilities deeply touched everyone present.

The most poignant moment was when the students shared stories and exchanged meaningful handmade gifts with Mr. Pham Viet Hoai, Chairman of Kymviet. True to our slogan, "Product instead of speech," these colorful fabric mascots served as a bridge, dissolving barriers of language and culture through the silent language of craftsmanship.

Hands-On Experience: Art Born from Perseverance

Beyond the tour, the Crescent students directly participated in a hands-on craft workshop. Under the dedicated guidance of Kymviet’s artisans, young hands meticulously worked on every stitch to complete their own unique products.

Through this activity, the students did more than just learn a new craft; they gained a deeper appreciation for the value of labor, the importance of patience, and the "overcoming oneself" spirit that defines our community.

Spreading Positive Life Values

As the visit concluded, bright smiles lit up the faces of every student as they held their self-made creations and Kymviet gift bags. The group photos taken in our colorful showroom stand as a testament to a beautiful friendship between the youth of Singapore and the resilient community at Kymviet.

We believe that these experiences will remain a cherished memory in the students' journey toward adulthood, helping them nurture compassion and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Kymviet would like to express our sincere gratitude to Crescent Girls’ School for choosing us as a meaningful stop on your journey through Vietnam. We look forward to seeing you again on future inspiring adventures!

About Crescent Girls’ School: Established in 1955, Crescent Girls' School is a premier all-girls secondary school in Singapore, renowned for its holistic education and its commitment to developing leadership and social responsibility in its students.

To: Travel Agencies and Tour Operators,

We are Kym Viet, a social enterprise dedicated to the mission: "By people with disabilities, for people with disabilities."

We specialize in creating unique, high-quality handcrafted products from woven and traditional brocade fabrics. These items not only embody Vietnam’s rich cultural identity but also provide stable employment and an inclusive working environment for people with disabilities.

Kym Viet deeply values and appreciates travel companies that prioritize community-based tourism and share our vision of promoting sustainable travel, supporting local communities, and protecting the environment. It is with this shared vision that we are reaching out to express our desire to collaborate with your organization to deliver meaningful experiences and create a lasting positive impact on society.

We believe that a partnership between Kym Viet and your company can bring significant mutual benefits:

• Creating Unique and Meaningful Tourism Products: Kym Viet’s handicrafts can serve as distinctive souvenirs that represent Vietnamese culture for your travelers. This not only supports our mission but also promotes Vietnamese heritage and enhances the guest experience.
• Supporting Local Communities and People with Disabilities: Collaborating with us demonstrates your strong commitment to social responsibility. Guests can participate in experiential activities at Kym Viet, learning about the lives and work of people with disabilities, which fosters empathy and awareness.
• Promoting Sustainable Tourism: We prioritize the use of local, eco-friendly materials. Our cooperation will contribute to sustainable tourism practices, minimizing environmental impact and providing long-term benefits to the community.

Proposed Areas of Collaboration:

• Integrating Kym Viet Handicrafts into the Travel Experience: Our products can be used as unique souvenirs or experiential items within your tours, helping travelers connect with Vietnamese culture and the inspiring stories of our artisans.
• Organizing Workshops and Experiences at Kym Viet: We can co-host handicraft workshops or interactive sessions with our staff, offering tourists a chance to learn new skills and connect deeply with the local community.
• Community Project Development: Kym Viet is ready to join your initiatives to support people with disabilities or promote sustainable tourism in Vietnam, leveraging our experience and network.

With recognition from international organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the British Council, and our 5-year plan to expand into global markets, we are confident that this partnership will be mutually beneficial and spread the humanitarian values we both cherish.

We look forward to hearing from you to discuss these opportunities in further detail. For more information about Kym Viet, please visit our website at www.kymviet.com.vn.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We hope to accompany you on this journey to bring positive change to the community and the world.

Sincerely,

Mr. Pham Viet Hoai Chairman of the Board KYM VIET JOINT STOCK COMPANY

• Address: 123 Trung Van Street, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Hotline: +84 98 408 99 90 / 0912759599
• Email: info@kymviet.com.vn
• Website:www.kymviet.com.vn

Below are some detailed suggestions, classified by different cultural themes, to help you easily choose the perfect gifts for international guests:

1. Mascots and Legendary Characters:

• Dragon (Vietnamese Dragon): The Dragon is the supreme mascot in Vietnamese culture, symbolizing power, prosperity, luck, and favorable weather. The Vietnamese Dragon has unique characteristics with a soft, graceful shape, distinct from Western or Chinese dragons. A stuffed fabric dragon with bright colors like yellow, red, or green will be a meaningful Vietnamese handmade gift, expressing respect and good wishes.

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• Cultural meaning: Demonstrates pride in the "Dragon and Fairy" origins, wishing for luck and success.

• Saint Giong: Saint Giong (Phu Dong Thien Vuong) is one of the most important legendary figures in Vietnamese folklore. He carries profound traditional meanings, serving as a cultural icon representing the indomitable spirit and the aspiration to rise up of the Vietnamese people.

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• Golden Buffalo: The buffalo is associated with Vietnam's wet rice civilization, symbolizing gentleness, diligence, hard work, and strength. A golden stuffed fabric buffalo is a simple, intimate handmade gift that expresses sincerity and appreciation for traditional values.

  • Cultural meaning: Symbolizes agriculture, industry, endurance, and the precious qualities of the Vietnamese people.

2. Stuffed Fabric Handicraft Products Symbolizing the 12 Zodiac Animals in Vietnamese Culture

Handmade gifts representing the 12 Zodiac Animals of Vietnam carry profound cultural significance and are unique items to introduce Vietnamese culture to friends around the world. Below are the details of the meaning of each Zodiac animal when expressed through stuffed fabric craftsmanship:

Overview of the 12 Zodiac Animals in Vietnamese Culture: Before going into detail, it is essential to understand that the 12 Zodiacs are an integral part of Asian culture in general and Vietnam in particular. They follow a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. The 12 Zodiacs are not only used to calculate time but also carry meanings regarding personality, human destiny, and traditional cultural values. In Vietnam, the order is: Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat (different from the Rabbit in Chinese culture), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Meaning of Each Zodiac Animal as a Stuffed Fabric Product:

1. Rat (Tý):

   • Cultural meaning: In Vietnam, the Rat symbolizes intelligence, agility, alertness, and strong survival skills. Sometimes, it represents abundance and wisdom (The Scholar).

   • Product meaning: A cute, mischievous stuffed rat is a gift symbolizing intelligence and a wish for agility and success in life and academic achievements (The Scholar Rat). It can also signify wealth and prosperity.

2. Buffalo (Sửu):

   • Cultural meaning: The Buffalo is a symbol of gentleness, diligence, hard work, endurance, and durable strength. Associated with wet rice civilization, it is the farmer's companion.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed buffalo is a Vietnamese handmade gift honoring traditional values and the hard-working nature of the Vietnamese. It also signifies inner strength, perseverance, and success through effort.

3. Tiger (Dần):

   • Cultural meaning: The Tiger represents power, authority, ferocity, and courage. As the lord of the jungle, it carries a strong, majestic, and determined spirit.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed tiger, though made softer, retains its majesty. It is a gift symbolizing strength, bravery, decisiveness, and leadership (The Strong-willed Tiger), as well as a wish for resilience in overcoming difficulties.

4. Cat (Mão):

   • Cultural meaning: In Vietnam, the fourth sign is the Cat (unlike the Rabbit in China). The Cat symbolizes agility, dexterity, intelligence, and sometimes gentleness and grace.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed cat is a popular, cute handmade gift symbolizing agility and cleverness. It can also bring meanings of luck and goodness (like the "Great Fortune Cat" or "Lucky Cat" in Asian culture).

5. Dragon (Thìn):

   • Cultural meaning: The Dragon is the supreme mascot, symbolizing power, prosperity, and nobility.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed dragon is an incredibly meaningful gift, showing respect for traditional culture and pride in Vietnamese roots. It is a wish for power, prosperity, and the best of luck.

6. Snake (Tỵ):

   • Cultural meaning: The Snake holds various meanings in Vietnam, ranging from mystery and sacredness to wisdom, flexibility, and adaptability.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed snake is a unique gift representing wisdom and adaptability. It can also symbolize mystery, hidden strength, and protection.

7. Horse (Ngọ):

   • Cultural meaning: The Horse symbolizes freedom, generosity, strength, speed, and loyalty. It is associated with heroes, success, and development.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed horse demonstrates dynamism and a desire for freedom. It serves as a wish for development, advancement, and an open future.

8. Goat (Mùi):

   • Cultural meaning: The Goat symbolizes gentleness, peace, calmness, patience, and sometimes creativity and art.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed goat is a cute, approachable gift symbolizing kindness and calmness. It can also represent creativity and a peaceful life.

9. Monkey (Thân):

   • Cultural meaning: The Monkey represents intelligence, agility, alertness, activity, and humor.

   • Product meaning: A stuffed monkey is a fun gift symbolizing optimism and wit. It is a wish for agility and success in work and life.

10. Rooster (Dậu):

    • Cultural meaning: The Rooster symbolizes punctuality, faithfulness, bravery, and the ability to ward off evil spirits. Its crow signals the dawn, bringing hope and new energy.

    • Product meaning: A stuffed rooster expresses faithfulness, bravery, and optimism. It can also signify protection and good luck.

11. Dog (Tuất):

    • Cultural meaning: The Dog symbolizes loyalty, dedication, honesty, bravery, and protection. It is a close friend to humans.

    • Product meaning: A stuffed dog is a warm gift symbolizing loyalty and sincere friendship. It is a wish for a lasting bond and mutual trust.

12. Pig (Hợi):

    • Cultural meaning: The Pig symbolizes abundance, prosperity, wealth, and a leisurely, happy life. It also represents luck and optimism.

    • Product meaning: A stuffed pig is a lovely, round gift symbolizing wealth and a warm, happy life. It is a wish for prosperity and peace.

Why Choose These Handmade Gifts?

The 12 Zodiac stuffed fabric products are not just toys or decorations. They are excellent gifts for international guests because they embody deep traditional cultural meanings, demonstrating:

• Vietnamese Cultural Identity: Introducing a significant part of Vietnamese folklore to the world.

• Spiritual Value: Conveying good qualities like intelligence, diligence, bravery, and loyalty.

• Handmade Craftsmanship: Showcasing the exquisite skills of Vietnamese artisans, increasing the unique value of these Vietnamese handmade gifts.

• Good Wishes: Each Zodiac animal brings a specific blessing for luck, success, health, and happiness.

When giving these handmade gifts, you are not just offering a physical item but also conveying cultural values and good wishes. This will surely be a memorable gift for friends from abroad, helping them understand more about traditional Vietnamese culture.

About KYMVIET KYMVIET is a social enterprise specializing in producing and supplying handmade products: ✔ Stuffed Animals ✔ Stuffed Gifts ✔ Mascots ✔ Souvenirs ✔ Symbols These products are made from cotton fabric by disabled artisans, containing meticulousness, sophistication, and traditional Vietnamese cultural identity.

1. Aromatic Delights: Vietnamese Coffee & Tea

Vietnam’s bold flavors are not only found in its cuisine but also in its world-famous coffee and herbal teas.

1.1. Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, and coffee here is not just a drink - it’s a daily ritual and a window into local life. Bold, strong, and aromatic, Vietnamese coffee is typically brewed using a phin filter, resulting in a rich, slow-dripped beverage often served over ice with condensed milk (ca phe sua da).

Vietnamese coffee is unlike any other. Its intense flavor, high caffeine content, and smooth finish make it ideal for espresso lovers and adventurous palates alike. A bag of Vietnamese coffee also makes a meaningful, easy-to-pack souvenir that reflects the country’s agricultural pride and distinctive culinary identity.

The opening ceremony of the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan was attended by Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Fumihito, and over 1,300 guests.

At the opening ceremony, students, including students with disabilities from schools in Osaka Prefecture, paraded with flags of participating countries and international organizations at EXPO 2025. Unique performances blending traditional Japanese arts like kabuki and taiko drums with contemporary art left a deep impression on the audience.

💕 Two "Vietnamese Dragon" products from Kymviet were honored to be selected to participate in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

This is a great source of pride as these handicraft products, created by artisans with disabilities at Kymviet, are solemnly displayed in the Vietnam Pavilion – designed in the shape of the traditional conical hat, covering an area of 300m², full of cultural identity and future aspirations. The two dragon figures are not only symbols of wisdom and strength but also represent the resilience, creativity, and humanistic spirit of the Vietnamese people.

The Vietnam Pavilion serves as a focal point for convergence and dissemination of "proud stories about Vietnam" shared with international friends about a society built on good cultural values, centered around people, leveraging endogenous strength for sustainable development in an era of growth, aiming for harmony, equality, and leaving no one behind.

The World Expo is one of the three largest global events (along with the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games), attracting participation from most countries at the state level. The World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, on Yumeshima Island, Osaka, Japan, with the participation of 158 countries and international organizations. Under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai aims to attract 28 million domestic and international visitors.

Cultural Heritage: The Enduring Vitality of Vietnam

In his opening speech, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: "Cultural heritage is not only the crystallization of history and national identity but also a bridge to bring Vietnam closer to the world."

The event was held at the beginning of 2025, in the joyful atmosphere of welcoming the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) of the Year of the Snake, creating a space that blended tradition and modernity. Images of the country and people of Vietnam were vividly recreated through short videos, introducing the beautiful natural scenery and the simple, sincere nature of the Vietnamese people.

In particular, the Ao Dai performances – the spiritual symbol of Vietnamese culture – attracted the attention of all the guests. The Ao Dais on display were not only for women but also for men and children, demonstrating the harmonious combination of tradition and modern creativity.

The unique feature of the event was that the performances were all performed by "home-grown actors," including the spouses and children of the Consulate General of Vietnam and Vietnam Airlines in San Francisco. This presence created a close and friendly atmosphere, while also demonstrating the close bond between the members of the diplomatic community and the Vietnamese airline.

In addition, traditional Vietnamese dance and music performances, carefully prepared, contributed to highlighting the national cultural identity. These performances were not only artistic but also a way to convey the spirit and soul of the Vietnamese people.

Famous chef Martin Yan is a big fan of KymViet's handcrafted products and Vietnamese fine art products on display at the Community Tet Festival in San Francisco on January 18, 2025.

Vietnamese Fine Arts and Handicrafts: A Symbol of Talent and Creativity

A special highlight of the event was the fine arts and handicraft products from famous craft villages such as Van Phuc silk, Bat Trang pottery, Kym Viet stuffed animals of disabled people as well as hand embroidery products, rattan weaving, lacquer, Dong Ho paintings, etc.

These products not only demonstrate the talent of the artisans but also reflect the depth of culture and history of the Vietnamese nation, which has been preserved and developed through many generations.

Dr. Nguyen Dung Thuong, Director of SEAFIT, shared: "The handicraft works on display today are not merely products but also symbols of the history, tradition, and spiritual values of the Vietnamese nation."

The transportation of these products from Vietnam to the United States was carried out through close coordination between the Consulate General, SEAFIT, and Vietnam Airlines. The event not only promoted the quintessence of Vietnamese craft villages but also opened up opportunities for trade and cultural connection with international friends.

Promoting Cultural Exchange and International Cooperation

The event attracted the participation of more than 120 delegates including diplomatic corps, business people, and international partners, creating opportunities to promote cultural exchange, trade and sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and other countries. Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan expressed his hope that the representatives attending the event today will become bridges, spreading Vietnamese cultural values and contributing to building long-term cooperative relationships.

SEAFIT plays an important role in organizing the event, while affirming its goal of continuously increasing the commercial value of Vietnamese handicraft products in the international market. The cooperation between the Consulate General and SEAFIT is seen as a typical example of joint efforts in preserving and developing cultural values.

The Meaning of the Year of the Snake and New Expectations

In Vietnamese culture, the Year of the Snake is a symbol of intelligence, flexibility, and rebirth. Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan expressed his hope that the new year will bring new progress in the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the United States, especially in the fields of culture and economy.

He emphasized: "The handicraft products and cultural values that we introduce today are proof of the creativity and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people. This is the foundation for building an increasingly close relationship of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the international community."

Closing the Event with Unexpected Success

The event "Introducing Vietnamese Heritage: Silk, Ao Dai, and Fine Handicraft Products" closed with deep impressions, thanks to the effective coordination between the Consulate General, SEAFIT, and Vietnam Airlines. The success of the event not only stopped at promoting culture but also contributed to raising the image and position of Vietnam in the international arena.

Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed that this event is only the beginning of larger cooperative initiatives in the future, towards the goal of raising the position of Vietnamese culture in the international arena.