Opening the programmes, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang affirmed that France is always one of Vietnam's first partners in Europe and around the world. Relations with France keep priority position in Vietnam's foreign policy. The Ambassador emphasised his determination to continue strengthening this France-Vietnam cooperative relationship, for the benefit of the two nations.

(Photo: MOCST)

Giving his opening remarks, H.E.Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) has given a series of proofs of the increasingly close friendship between the two countries in many fields, from politics, diplomacy, economics, science and technology, education, health, culture, tourism, sport…

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung said, Vietnam Culture and Tourism Week in France with many rich contents taking place in recent days: from the tourism seminar "Potential and opportunities" to the exhibition "Colors of Vietnam" introducing silk paintings and exquisite handicraft products of Vietnamese artisans, exhibition of paintings of the Fine Arts and Cultural Diplomacy Campaign Committee, photos of cultural heritage items and art programmes with folk characteristics but with the breath of contemporary creativity, reflecting the cultural life of the Vietnamese people are in a spirit of optimism, excitement, respect for the past, and efforts to build towards a prosperous and wealthy future.

The programme is a "spiritual gift to close the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and move forward with deeper developments in the strategic partnership between the two sides in all fields, including culture, sports and tourism, and next year, the two countries will work together to have a successful and memorable Paris 2024 Olympics.

(Photo: MOCST)

Mr. Jérémy Bacchi, Senator, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Education and Information in the French Senate, said, ​this is an honour for France when they learn about the life and journey of President Ho Chi Minh here, especially the period when Uncle Ho was in Marseille. He also expressed deep gratitude for the historical legacy left by President Ho Chi Minh and President Ho Chi Minh's role in establishing the French Communist Party. The Francophone community is a legacy of the shared history of the two countries and should be a means of uniting people while respecting their common culture. The organisation of the programme "Vietnam Cultural Night" is a testament to the close relationship and common desire of the two sides in promoting the cultures of the two countries.

(Photo: MOCST)

On this occasion, Minister Nguyen Van Hung presented Mr. Jérémy Bacchi with a unique gift, a postage stamp printed with the symbol commemorating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France (12 April 1973 - 12 May 2023) is carried out by the Vietnamese Embassy in France in coordination with the French Postal Service.

A folk music feast

Performed by artists from the Viet Bac Folk Music and Dance Theater and the Vietnamese Cultural Center in France, Vietnamese Cultural Night introduced to the audience a folk art space imbued with Vietnamese folk colours. At the opening of the programme, the whole auditorium was silent with the singing of singer Phuong Dong and little Xuan An - a Vietnamese child born and raised in France but always "flowing with Vietnamese blood". After that, the audience listened to the sound of the monochord resounding in the melody of the famous song "Snowfall" (Tombe la neige). During the more than 60 minutes of the programme, the audience admired the dances, listened to the songs and music of the girls and boys of the Lu ethnic group, Dao ethnic group, Cao Lan ethnic group, Tay ethnic group, Kinh group and particularly impressed by the performances of the quintessential cultural values of the Vietnamese ethnic community, including intangible cultural heritage forms recognized by UNESCO. "Vietnamese Cultural Night" in France with Vietnamese and French art performances is truly a testament to the spirit of "Shared Culture" of 2023 - the year commemorating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations strategic partnerships between Vietnam and France.

(Photo: MOCST)

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