French cultural space on Hanoi streets
Held from December 14-16 in Hanoi, Balade en France 2018 (Walk in France) was a concluding event of celebrations for the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France and the fifth anniversary of bilateral strategic partnership.
French Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary said 2018 marked successful cooperation in politics, economy, culture, education, healthcare, defense and the environment between the two countries.
He expressed his hope that Balade en France 2018 will tighten France-Vietnam ties.
Held from December 14-16 in Hanoi, Walk in France gave Hanoians and visitors a nice experience.
Photo: Khanh Long
In the center of the festival is a Christmas tree made from 1,000 recycled plastic bottles. Photo: Khanh Long
 The tree sends out a message of protecting the environment. Photo: Khanh Long
French-style shops are favorite places for taking photos. Photo: Khanh Long
The event was held in the capital city for the first time. Photo: Khanh Long
There are 60 booths of French companies at the festival. Photo: Khanh Long
Sparkling Christmas pathway. Photo: Khanh Long
The French food attracts a lot of visitors. Photo: Khanh Long
The food is made right at the festival. Photo: Khanh Long
Traditional French dishes are present at the festival. Photo: Khanh Long
A French chef offers his dish to visitors. Photo: Khanh Long
Visitors enjoy a French space in Vietnam. Photo: Khanh Long
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A ceremony was held to light a 6m-tall Christmas tree made of recycled plastic bottles, sending out a message of protecting the environment.
The site of the event at Ly Thai To Square on Dinh Tien Hoang street and by Hoan Kiem Lake was set up like a Parisian street during Christmas time lined with shops and decorated with sparkling lights.
Visitors had a chance to enjoy French dishes offered by French restaurants in Hanoi, as well as cosmetics and technological products presented at 60 booths by French companies.
The event was held in the capital for the first time, after nine consecutive years in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam-France Festival 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City
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.
The six-day event, themed “Sharing a Sky”, included nearly 20 cultural exchange activities and theater and music programs staged by professional and young artists.
Opening the festival was a concert, which used music to depict the formation and changes of the southern land as well as Vietnam-France cultural harmonization.
The event included music performances by saxophonist Xuan Hieu and pianist Tuan Manh and French songs sung by Vietnamese singers Kim Khanh, Julie Thanh Nguyen, Vo Le Vy and Cong Linh.
The festival is where the cultures of Vietnam and France meet. Photo: Son Nghia
A Vietnamese-French bilingual performance by young Vietnamese artists. Photo: Son Nghia
Korean artist Kyung duk Min performs in the last night of the festival. Photo: Son Nghia
The “365 days” dance performance by dancers from the Vocational Ballet School of Ho Chi Minh City.
Photo: Son Nghia
Vietnamese folk music Don ca tai tu (music of amateurs) is introduced to French audience through
the performance of the Golden Lotus Band. Photo: Son Nghia
The festival includes a talk on French cuisine by French chef Vincent Marcilhac. Photo: Son Nghia
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At the event, the Flamingo Theater staged Eugénie Grandet, a play arranged by screenwriter Viet Linh and director Tay Phong based on a novel of the same name by French writer Honore Balzac.
Other activities in the festival included the screening of 10 Vietnamese and French films, a talk with Vietnamese pianist Tuan Manh, an exhibition displaying mini sculptures by artist Le Xuan Giang, an exhibition showcasing old objects in Saigon before 1975, and a French food festival.
The festival was rounded off on December 10 with a concert featuring pianists Tuan Manh and Phi Phi, Korean artists Kwon Lin and Kyung duk Min, and dancers from the Vocational Ballet School of Ho Chi Minh City.
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