Nearly 100 young people of Vietnamese descent from around the world gathered in Paris for a vibrant festival showcasing a youthful, creative, and globally connected Vietnam.

Held on June 28–29, the Bonjour Vietnam 2025 festival drew thousands of attendees with a diverse and creative lineup of cultural and artistic activities. It offered a fresh approach to promoting the national culture by putting the younger generation at the heart of the storytelling.

As part of the France – Vietnam cultural exchange project Toucher Arts, the festival has emerged as a unique cultural bridge linking Vietnam with the wider world. Unlike traditional cultural promotion initiatives, this project empowers the youth to creatively express their own perspectives on the Vietnamese culture.

This year’s edition marked a major step forward from its inaugural event in 2024. Over the course of two days, nearly 100 Vietnamese-origin youths from countries such as Canada, Belgium, Australia, Italy, France, and Vietnam transformed the venue into a dynamic cultural hub of exhibitions and interactive activities.

Two standout art exhibitions anchored the programme. One showcased selected pieces from more than 1,000 submissions sent in by young Vietnamese from 17 countries, and another featured works by students from the Olympia School in Vietnam. Each painting offered a slice of the Vietnamese culture and identity, told through the global lens of the youth.

Traditional craft booths, completely free to the public, proved especially popular. From Dong Ho painting and bamboo dragonfly making to fan decorating and calligraphy, visitors enthusiastically immersed themselves in hands-on cultural experiences.

One of the festival’s most innovative highlights was the “Flavours of Hanoi” augmented reality (AR) photo collection. By scanning the images with their phones, visitors could watch videos detailing how various Vietnamese dishes are prepared and enjoyed. The immersive experience used scent and flavour simulation to bring the essence of Vietnamese cuisine to life.

Two evening concerts, each with its own theme and artistic direction, offered refreshing musical experiences. Performances using traditional bamboo instruments added a rich cultural texture to the musical landscape.

Following its success in Paris, the delegation will head to Lorient to host a 20-day annual festival expected to attract thousands of French attendees. Prior to Paris, participating youths had already lit up the image of Vietnam in Saint Herblain, a city in the Loire-Atlantique region./.