An exhibition of paintings by Vietnamese-origin children at the Vietnam Festival in Larmor-Plage. (Photo: VNA)Addressing a ceremony held at the cityhall of Larmor-Plage, Mayor Patrice Valton expressed his delight at the close France - Vietnam ties which have been fostered for not only the last 50 years butlong before that, along with the effects of their joint projects.
He said bilateral cooperation has developed not only inpolitics, diplomacy, and trade but also health care, education, culture,science, and locality-to-locality ties, citing as example the partnership between Lorienttown of Morbihan and Khanh Hoa province or Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam, as wellas the local Vietnamese community’s efforts to popularise the Vietnameseculture and reinforce the two countries’ friendship.
Reviewing the milestones in bilateral relations over the pasthalf of a century, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang said thatcultural similarities form a solid steppingstone for the countries’ friendship and cooperation nowadays.
He appreciated the local Vietnamese community’s contributionsto the popularisation of the Vietnamese culture in France and highlighted the community’s bonds with the homeland’s culture alongwith their success in gathering generations of overseas Vietnamese (OVs) tohonour the common heritage.
The ceremony at the city hall was the start of a number ofactivities as part of the Vietnam Festival, organised by the City Hall of Larmor-Plagein collaboration with the three associations of Art Space, Vietnam BretagneSud, and Appel Lorient.
Vietnamese and international students in "ao dai", a traditional costume of Vietnam, reenact a traditional wedding of Vietnam at the festival. (Photo: VNA)Activities included raising the donation of the used “ao dai”,a traditional costume of Vietnam, from OVs in many countries such as the US,France, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Vietnam, and they were handed over to visitorsin exchange for donations to some centres of orphans and disabled children inVietnam.
Visitors also had chances to engage in many activities toexplore the traditional Lunar New Year festival, the Dong Ho folk paintings,calligraphy, and other aspects of the Vietnamese culture. An exhibition ofpaintings by Vietnamese-origin children from nearly 20 countries, a photodisplay on Hoi An ancient town by young artist Thai Nguyen, and stalls ofVietnamese street food also formed part of the festival.
Ambassador Thang commendedthe remarkable success of the Art Space, Vietnam Bretagne Sud, and AppelLorient associations in strengthening cultural connections and exchangesbetween the two nations, as well as promoting the beautiful image of Vietnam toFrench friends.
He describedthis event as a perfect milestone for the 50th anniversary of the two countries’diplomatic relations.
Regine Le Normand, Deputy Mayor of Larmor-Plage, held that after joining dances, enjoying colourfultraditional costumes, and tasting attractive dishes of Vietnam, local people willwant to learn more about Vietnam and even come to the country to directly experience its identities./.
VNA
