Vietnam – France festival celebrate diplomatic ties
The Vietnam-France Festival opened at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) in Ho Chi Minh City on December 5, as part of the city’s activities to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Various activities to take place at the Vietnam – France festival (Photo: tuoitre.vn)
HCM City (VNA) - TheVietnam-France Festival opened at the Institute of Cultural Exchange withFrance (IDECAF) in Ho Chi Minh City on December 5, as part of the city’sactivities to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between the twocountries.
Organised by the IDECAF and An Yen MediaEducation and Entertainment Company, the six-day event, themed “Sharing a Sky”,includes nearly 20 cultural exchange activities and theatre and musicprogrammes staged by professional and young artists, all taking place at IDECAF.
Opening the festival was a concert, whichused music to depict the formation and changes of the southern land as well asVietnam – France cultural harmonisation.
Old Sai Gon (former name of Ho Chi MinhCity) will be reenacted through items like scooters and music players displayedin the IDECAF’s exhibition room from December 6 to 9. Participants will alsohave a chance to take photos with mini sculptures about Sai Gon.
On December 9, the Flamingo Theatre willstage Eugénie Grandet, a play arranged by screenwriter Viet Linh and directorTay Phong based on a novel of the same name by French writer Honore Balzac.
A French food festival will take place onDecember 7, while the screening of 10 Vietnamese and French films will run fromDecember 6 – 12.
The festival will be rounded off at 8pm onDecember 10 with a concert featuring pianists Tuan Manh and Phi Phi, anddancers from the Vocational Ballet School of Ho Chi Minh City.-VNA
Internationally acclaimed flutist Nicolas Duchamp and pianist Hélène Jeanney will perform in HCM City on May 24 to mark the 100th death anniversary of French composer Debussy.
Vietnam and France have agreed to further expand cultural cooperation in all aspects, including new forms, to encourage more and more Vietnamese youths to study French culture and language.
The Vietnam- France Festival will be held at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) in Ho Chi Minh City on December 5 as part of the city’s cultural activities to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France.
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.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
Various activities to take place at the Vietnam – France festival (Photo: tuoitre.vn) 
