An array of activities will be held in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City from this month to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam.

French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser said that 2023 is a very special year that marks 50 years of diplomatic ties and 10 years of strategic partnership between Vietnam and France.

This is also an opportunity for the two countries to look back on the significance of the France-Vietnam partnership, by organizing numerous events throughout the year in various fields.

A variety of engaging events such as exhibitions, performances, concerts, fashion shows, cuisine festivals, and more will be launched by the French Embassy in Vietnam, the Consulate General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, the French Institute in Vietnam, and many French and Vietnamese partners across the Southeast Asian country.

Hanoi

In Hanoi, about 20 photography exhibitions and events will be rolled out.

One of the highlights is the first edition of the biennial photography event titled 'Photo Hanoi 23' -- which is slated for April 21 to the end of May.

Held by the French Institute and its partners in Vietnam in collaboration with UNESCO, 'Photo Hanoi 23' will feature exhibitions, seminars, and artist meetings taking place throughout the capital city.

The walls around the French Embassy in Hanoi will become a gallery of special photos. 

French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicholas Warnery expressed his hope that 'Photo Hanoi 23' will become a major photography event in Asia and even far beyond, in the world. 

“The South Korean city of Busan has become the center of Asian cinema. I hope that Hanoi will become a hub of Asian photography one day,” said Ambassador Warnery.

The French diplomat also hopes to help Hanoi build staff capable of organizing large-scale events attracting not only artists but also international tourists.

In addition, Hanoi will host a conference on the cooperation between the two countries' cities and provinces from April 13 to 15 -- where leaders of the provinces and cities can discuss sustainable urban and agriculture development.

The conference will be followed by an event called 'Walking around France' at Hoan Kiem Lake to introduce typical French products such as wine and cheese. 

In 2020, more than 100,000 people took part in this event, so France is looking forward to greater participation.

An exhibition named 'Colors of Vietnam' is also expected to be held during the celebration, according to Tran Nghia Hoa, deputy director of the Hanoi Department for Foreign Affairs.

Da Nang

The central coastal city of Da Nang is hosting a French music competition from March to June. 

The contest is open to all contestants throughout Vietnam who wish to express their passion for singing, dancing or playing music through a work in French.

Thua Thien-Hue

In Thua Thien-Hue Province, a large-scale light show will be held at the Hue Imperial Citadel in December.

Ngo Mon Gate, one of the most intact works of the relic, will be the highlight to lure visitors to come and admire the light system beaming on the surface of the building.

“Hopefully, it will be a grand light art party to wrap up the year marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties,” Ambassador Warnery shared about the show called 'Hue by Light & Heritage.'

Explaining why Hue is chosen as the place to end the series of commemorative activities, Warnery said that it is both an affirmation and a commitment of France to continuing to cooperate with and strongly support Vietnam in heritage conservation.

The company in charge of designing the show in Hue is revealed to be a big name behind many light shows in Times Square in New York City.

“We hope that through this event, there will be a technology transfer that enables Hue to set up similar and world-class events,” said Sophie Maysonnave, counselor for cooperation and cultural activities at the French Embassy. 

Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, the French Lifestyle program will be organized with many activities and divided into two ‘seasons’: food and fashion – design.

The cuisine season is set to take place from March to June and kick off with a seminar on the interaction between French and Vietnamese foods at Sofitel Saigon at 6:00 pm on March 23.

The discussions on the two countries' culinary interaction will continue to be featured in a series of seminars subsequently during the season.

The cuisine season in Ho Chi Minh City also hosts:

A cuisine week with cooking classes for young Vietnamese chefs, in cooperation with the reputable Ferrandi Paris school.

Culinary events with the participation of chef Guillaume Gomez, former head chef of the French president at the Elysee palace and French cuisine ambassador.

Exhibitions on cocoa at French-Vietnamese bilingual schools and French schools.

Meanwhile, the fashion-design season, which is set to run from June to December, includes:

A variety of fashion and design events with the participation of major French fashion, design and perfume brands.

Seminars on high-end fashion, sustainable fashion, and eco-friendly design. 

A contest called 'Fashion in Paris' geared up for young talents in fashion design in Vietnam. The winners will join a training tour in Paris in 2024.

In October, the Fashion Night event will be held, featuring art performances as well as experts’ talks about French fashion and the development of the Vietnamese market for luxury French products, and digital transformation in fashion.

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