A two-month photo exhibition at the area of the French embassy will pave the way to turn Hanoi into Asia’s center of photography, French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery said on March 14.

The Hanoi Theater in Hoan Kiem District, a symbol of French architecture in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

The photo exhibition, titled “Photo Hanoi’23” will take place from April to June 2023 and it is an opportunity for visitors to see the milestones and key events of the two nations’ relations and their local-to-local partnerships in the past 50 years, he said during a press conference.

Hopefully, Hanoi will transform the center of Asian photography one day, just like Busan becoming the center of Asian filmography, French ambassador Nicolas said.

Other events include the “Balade en France” (Walk in France) festival that introduces popular French foods and French cuisine to the people of Hanoi. Meanwhile, HCM City will host French cuisine week on April 10-14 in HCM City which features a former Elysee chef, and the fashion and design show that begins on September 5 and includes a contest for Vietnamese talented fashion designers.

Notably, the people of Vietnam and France will have the opportunity to dwell in a wide range of activities that will take place during the 12th Vietnam-France decentralization conference on April 13-15.

In addition, a series of activities are being planned to take place in the last months of the year, including a seminar of Vietnamese universities in September starring Pro. Ngo Bao Chau, a workshop with a Nobel Prize-winning scientist from the Pasteur Institute, France, and the Light & Heritage show in the Imperial City of Hue in late December.

The series of events and activities aim to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-France diplomatic relations and the 10th founding anniversary of the bilateral Strategic Partnership.

Both governments hope to promote the non-State partnerships between the two sides’ local authorities, research institutes, universities, and businesses to discuss ideas and solutions for urgent matters, including sustainable development, urban planning, and heritage conservation, the French ambassador said.

Sophie Maysonnave, Counselor of Culture and Cooperation at the French Embassy in Vietnam, said that heritage conservation has remained one of the key developments in Vietnam-France relations.

Through meetings and cultural events, the French Government hopes to pass experiences to Vietnam’s local officials in heritage conservation, she said.

France – Vietnam’s trustful friend

The French ambassador Nicolas Warnery affirmed that France will side with Vietnam to realize the latter’s ambitions on mutual respect, shared benefit, and strategic partnership.

In terms of political matters, Vietnam is a vital partner to France, he said, adding the fact that the two countries have signed a joint agreement on Strategic Partnership and share common values.

Both nations believe multilateralism is the key to facilitating global law abidance, avoiding wars and achieving great socio-economic growth accomplishments, Nicolas said.

Stressing the importance of Vietnam-France relations in national defense and security, the ambassador said that the two nations are preparing for the arrival of the Escale du Prairial frigate at the Hai Phong Seaport on April 2-6.

Vietnam and France share similar stances on regional security and the arrival of the French frigate will be proof of the two sides’ perspectives, the ambassador said.

He also hoped that both nations will get ready for the exchanges of top-ranking officials of the State and the Government.