AsemconnectVietnam -  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.

Organised by the IDECAF and An Yen Media Education and Entertainment Company, the six-day event, themed “Sharing a Sky”, includes nearly 20 cultural exchange activities and theatre and music programmes staged by professional and young artists, all taking place at IDECAF. 

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 harmonisation.

Old Sai Gon (former name of Ho Chi Minh City) will be reenacted through items like scooters and music players displayed in the IDECAF’s exhibition room from December 6 to 9. Participants will also have a chance to take photos with mini sculptures about Sai Gon.

On December 9, the Flamingo Theatre will stage 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.

A French food festival will take place on December 7, while the screening of 10 Vietnamese and French films will run from December 6 – 12.

The festival will be rounded off at 8pm on December 10 with a concert featuring pianists Tuan Manh and Phi Phi, and dancers from the Vocational Ballet School of Ho Chi Minh City.

Source:VNA