Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh City festival held in Portugal’s Porto city
A festival is underway in Portugal’s Porto city, aiming to promote the beauty of Vietnam and its Ho Chi Minh City, and enhance economic ties between the two cities.
At the opening ceremony of the festival. (Photo: VNA)
Porto (VNA) – A festival is underway in Portugal’sPorto city, aiming to promote the beauty of Vietnam and its Ho Chi Minh City,and enhance economic ties between the two cities.
The event, from July 28-30, is held by the HCM CityPeople’s Committee in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in France andPortugal, and Porto authorities.
It is the biggest trade, investment, tourism andculture promotion even launched by HCM City in Europe this year, Vice Chairmanof the municipal People’s Committee Duong Anh Duc said in his opening remarks,informing that HCM City and Porto have just signed a memorandum ofunderstanding on establishing friendship and cooperation.
The festival is expected to be held annually to bring Vietnam’ssouthern metropolis closer to international friends, and tighten the friendship andcooperation between Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular with countriesworldwide, including Portugal, he added.
Porto Mayor Rui Moreira highlighted the potential forVietnam and Portugal to intensify their cooperation, as well as their good willin strengthening the bilateral trade ties.
The official expressed his hope that the festival willcontribute to consolidating the relations between Porto and Vietnameselocalities, while promoting new strengths in the areas that have great economic,scientific and environmental potential.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France and Portugal Dinh ToanThang said festival goers should use the occasion to establish new partnerships,consolidate existing relations and build long-term friendship.
The highlight of the festival was an economiccooperation forum organised by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCMCity, with the participation of more than 100 business representatives from HCM City, Porto and neighbouring European countries, along with Vietnamese tradecounselors.
The participants looked into the business environmentin the two cities, raised proposals to their leaders, and explored cooperationopportunities.
Apart from various performances by Vietnamese and Portugueseartists, the festival also introduces Vietnamese agricultural products,handicrafts, traditional costumes and folk games, and features a photoexhibition capturing HCM City’s development and integration./.
Senior officials of the parliament and government of Portugal have expressed the country’s strong commitment to substantively enhancing relations with Vietnam while meeting with a delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in Lisbon.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on January 18 held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho, who is on an official visit to Vietnam on January 17 - 19.
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.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
At the opening ceremony of the festival. (Photo: VNA) 
