Vietnamese Film Week in Thessaloniki city marks 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Greece ties
This marks the first time Vietnam has held a film week in Thessaloniki, aiming at enhancing local and international audiences’ understanding of Vietnamese cinema, a vibrant industry rooted in cultural identity, shaped by contemporary themes, and imbued with profound human values.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong and Greek officials at the opening ceremony of the Vietamese film week (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) ꦕ– Following the successful Vietnamese Film Week in Athens, a series of Vietnamese films were screened in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece, from May 16 to 20 as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s national reunification, and the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor of Pella, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Edessa, the Vice President of the Pella Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives of local authorities, diplomatic missions, and members of the Vietnamese community and Greek public.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong said seven feature and documentary films were selected for screening in Thessaloniki and the wider Central Macedonia region. Several of the films had won both domestic and international awards, offering rich insights into Vietnam’s history, culture, and people. The opening night featured the Dao, Pho, Piano film, which left a deep impression on viewers.
This marks the first time Vietnam has held a film week in Thessaloniki. The event aimed to enhance local and international audiences’ understanding of Vietnamese cinema, a vibrant industry rooted in cultural identity, shaped by contemporary themes, and imbued with profound human values.
Following Thessaloniki, authorities in Pella and the city of Edessa have expressed interest in hosting Vietnamese Film Week in their localities./.
Together with the recent release of a Greek-language biography of President Ho Chi Minh, the film screening honours the genius leader of Vietnam’s revolution, a national liberation hero, a world cultural icon, and a close friend of all peoples who have fought for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress across the globe.
The film week offers nine feature and documentary films which reflect the history, culture, land, and people of Vietnam, and many of them have won national and international awards.
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.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
The U23 competition will run from June 16 to 22, followed by the U17 event from June 23 to 28, while athletes competing in the U23 category will undergo weight and skill checks ahead of the matches starting June 18, while similar checks for U17 athletes will take place before June 23.
