HCM City hosts French food, culture festival “Balade en France”
Hundreds of local people and foreigners came to the French food and cultural festival “Balade en France” at Hoa Lu Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on its opening night on December 1.
The central stage of the French food and cultural festival “Balade en France” which is underway at Hoa Lu Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Hundreds of local people andforeigners came to the French food and cultural festival “Balade en France” atHoa Lu Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on its opening night on December 1.
The festival is held by the French Ministry ofAgriculture and Food, the French Consulate General in HCM City and SOPEXAcompany as part of a series of events to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam – France diplomatic ties (1973 – 2018).
It is also the largest French cuisine event in Vietnamwhich has been organised in the southern hub over the past eight years topromote the French food and culture among local people.
The ninth edition of the event features nearly 40 boothsselling popular French-made products like cheese, wine, butter, bacon, crepe,chocolate and more, with discounts of up to 50 percent.
Visitors are also enthralled by a festival of Frenchmusic where artists from both Vietnam and France take the stage with plenty ofdynamic performances. They can also enjoy other activities like wine tasting,face painting and henna tattooing while several French restaurants in the citywill showcase some of the most favourite French dishes.
Kids can visit the play zone to join many fun games suchas darts and colouring.
The two-day event expects to welcome more than 4,000visitors.
After HCM City, the festival will be organised at Ly ThaiTo statue in downtown Hanoi on December 14 – 16. –VNA
Artworks from a photo book on pagodas in Vietnam by French photographer and journalist Nicolas Cornet will be exhibited at L’Espace in downtown Hanoi from November 9 to December 31.
First prize of the Young Francophones Reporters – Vietnam 2018 – a writing contest in French language was awarded to Dao Phuong Loan, a student from Hanoi University, in Hanoi on November 9.
“Balade en France”, the annual French food and wine festival, will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from December 1-2 as part of the activities marking the 45th founding anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic relations.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.