Diverse activities promote Vietnamese culture in France
A series of cultural, culinary, musical, seminar and cinema activities about Vietnam were organised in France’s Fontainebleau city under a programme named "Vietnam rendezvous on stage".
Dr Pierre Journoud (left) and Dr Amandine Dabat (central) at the talk about "Ham Nghi, exiled king, artist in Algeria". (Photo: VNA)
Paris (VNA) 🐷– A series of cultural, culinary,musical, seminar and cinema activities about Vietnam were organised in France’sFontainebleau city under a programme named "Vietnam rendezvous onstage".
The event taking place on March 14 at the Municipal Theaterof Fontainebleau attracted crowds of people in the city and neighbouring areas. Dr. Pierre Journoud, a lecturer at Paul Valéry MontpellierUniversity 3 and an expert in Vietnamese studies, talked about special milestonesin the relationship between Vietnam and France at a symposium "France -Vietnam relations, from the Fontainebleau Conference in 1946 to French Prime Minister Edouard-Philippe's historic visit to Vietnam in 2018." Amandine Dabat, a 5th generation descendant of King Ham Nghi, delivered a speech "Ham Nghi, exiledking, artist in Algeria" to help the French public understand more aboutthe king as an artist – an aspect that few people know about. Visitors to the event also had a chance to enjoy performancesof traditional Vietnamese musical instruments and music, as well as explore the presence of Western classical music in Vietnam through the documentary film"Once upon a bridge in Vietnam" by young filmmaker François Bibonne. The Vietnamese Embassy in France highly appreciated theinitiative and efforts to organise the activities, especially when Vietnam and France are celebrating the 50th anniversary ofdiplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership. These activities are more meaningful as they were held in Fontainebleaucity where the Franco-Vietnamese negotiation conference took place in 1946 and also thecity where President Ho Chi Minh traveled to during his visit to France the same year./.
Ample room remains for trade between Vietnam and France to grow, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien told French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht during a working session in Hanoi on February 28.
Tea and dried fruits are key Vietnamese products being introduced at the International Agricultural Show (SIA), the biggest annual event in agriculture, husbandry, fishery and rural areas in France, which has been held from February 25 to Mach 5.
The 23rd Francophone Festival of the Mekong Delta Region opened in Can Tho city on March 11, aiming to encourage the movement of teaching and learning French, thus boosting Vietnam-France relations in all fields.
A wide range of activities will be held across Vietnam this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-France diplomatic relations and the 10th founding anniversary of the bilateral Strategic Partnership, French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery said on March 14.
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.
Dr Pierre Journoud (left) and Dr Amandine Dabat (central) at the talk about "Ham Nghi, exiled king, artist in Algeria". (Photo: VNA) 
