Illustrative photo.

Co-organised by the Indian Embassy in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanoi municipal People's Committee, the event is part of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-India bilateral diplomatic ties (January 7, 1972 - 2017) and ten years of the strategic partnership (2007 - 2017).

The event will open on June 17, at the Ly Thai To Statue Area, 12 Le Lai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, starting at 7pm.

The Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh city will also hold a separate event to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 25, at Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. After Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, it will move to other southern provinces of Da Nang city, Nha Trang city, Nghe An city and Vinh Phuc province.

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice originating in India, which aims to transform both body and mind. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

The declaration came after the call for the adoption of June 21 as International Day of Yoga by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014 wherein he stated, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies the unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but about discovering the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature”.

In suggesting June 21, which is the Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga, Narendra Modi said, “this date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world”.

Source: NDO