Sri Lanka and Vietnam have left a deep imprint on the feelings and thoughts of the two peoples through exchanges of cultures and understanding between the two Nations throughout many centuries. In the recent past Sri Lanka and Vietnam have put great emphasis on promoting respective cultural values, people to people contacts through exchange of visits, organizing cultural and religious activities etc.

An exhibition of drawings depicted by the T-sunami affected children in Sri Lanka was held in Hanoi in December 2005. Popular Channa-Upuli dance ensemble from Sri Lanka performed at the Hanoi Opera House  in March 2006 as part of the commemorative activities of the 35th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Sri Lanka is regularly inviting Vietnamese cultural troupes to participate in Sri Lankan Annual Art Festivals. Participation of sports teams at various sports events in both countries by respective national teams is also an important step take towards to strengthening these relations.

Leaders of the Buddhists communities of the two countries have close cooperation since the introduction of the Buddhism into the South East Asian region. Several Sri Lankan Buddhist delegations have visited Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria Vung Tau in 1960s and visited Pho Min Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria Vung Tau.

The Most Venerable Narada Thero and the Most Venerable Mapalagama Vipulasara Thero from Sri Lanka had visited Vietnam in 1950s.The Pho Minh Pagada in Ho Chi Minh City had been the center of the Buddhist activities between the two countries. Most Venerable Narada Thero had visited Pho Minh Pagada several times in 1950s and 1960s and donated Budda relics and sapling of the   “Bo Tree” from Sri Lanka.

Head of the Pho Minh Pagada in Ho Chi Minh City, the most venerable Thich Thien Tam has translated several books on Buddhism authored by the most Venerable Paravahera Vajiranana Thero and the Most Venerable Walpola Rahula Thero.

A Vietnam delegation led by His Excellency Mr. Vu Gia Tham, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs attended the International Buddhist Conference held in Sri Lanka in November 1998.

Four members Buddhist delegation led by Most Ven. Thic Tu Nhon, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha visited Sri Lanka to attend the 64th Upasampada Ceremony of Ramanna Nikaya in July 2004.

During the visit of H.E. Ratnasiri Wickranayaka, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to Vietnam had discussions with a view to further enhance cooperation between the Buddhist Sangha of the two countries with Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu of Quan Su Pagoda and paid a visit to the Vietnam Buddhist Institute in Soc Son District in Hanoi in November 2006.