Vietnamese traditional instrumental performance at the festival (Photo: VNA)Paris (VNA) – Vietnamese culture and cuisine werehighlighted at the second Vietnamese Festival that took place from July 16-18in La Plagne Tarentaise town, a popular destination in France’s southeast region of Savoie.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang and PermanentRepresentative of Vietnam toUNESCO Le Thi Hong Van joined officials of the local administration at the event, which was part of the Summer Festival 2021 in the tourist site.
Addressing the festival's opening ceremony, Ambassador Toan said that the selection of Vietnam as thehonorary guest at the event for the first time showed the warmsentiments that the French locality gives Vietnam as well as evidence ofthe sound Vietnam-France friendship, contributing to deepening the bilateralstrategic partnership and the partnership amonglocalities of the two countries.
For his part, La Plagne Tarentaise Mayor Jean-Luc Boch saidthat he is impressed by the diverse culture of Vietnam, expressing hope to fostercooperation with localities of Vietnam, especially in trade and tourism.
With more than ten booths introducing Vietnamese cuisine and traditional craft goods, theVietnamese Festival drew a large number of tourists and local visitors. Manyactivities were held in the framework of the festival, including a conferenceand film screening on the traditional culture and foods of Vietnam, alongwith performance of traditional music instruments, costumes, martial art anddragon dance.
On the occasion, the Vietnamese Culture Centre in France also held a photoexhibition introducing the nation and people of Vietnam, while the national flag carrier VietnamAirlines brought its tourism promotion programmes.
Roland Beaumont, Chairman of the Asia New Generation –Vietnam, said the organisation of the festival met with various difficulties in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was made able thanks to the support of La Plagne Tarentaise authorities and the sponsorship of Vietnam Airlines. He said the third Vietnamese Festival will be held in Paris in summer 2022.
The annual festival was first held in 2019. Last year, dueto COVID-19 pandemic, the event was cancelled./.
VNA
