The UK Festival in Vietnam kicked off today afternoon (September 9) at the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District.

The British Military Band on the streets of Hanoi. Photo: UK Embassy in Vietnam

The event marked the 50^th celebration of the Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations and the 30^th anniversary of the British Council in Vietnam, proving the two nations’ long-term, friendly relationship.

The event took place on the weekend, honored the diverse cooperation between Vietnam and the UK, and introduced British culture, cuisine, craft products, and healthcare and education services to visitors.

The festival also featured impressive performances from the students of British schools in Hanoi, the UK military musical band, the return of the famous 911 band, and Vietnamese singers My Anh and Orange.

In an open space, the UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew and food blogger Phan Anh together made scones, a British traditional baked food. Their collaboration proved that the two cultures can integrate into each other and produce great results.

Ambassador Iain Frew said that it is an honor to see Vietnam and the UK increasingly improving their bilateral relations, especially in the education sector, with some 30,000 Vietnamese students studying in the UK.

“We’re looking at the future and how we work together in the next 50 years,” he told The Hanoi Times. “The UK and Vietnam are working together on sustainability and developing our economies in a green, sustainable way.”

“The festival symbolizes our countries getting closer together and cooperating as partners in a deeper and more meaningful way,” he said.

The UK Festival in Vietnam is proudly supported by the UK Government’s GREAT Campaign, alongside enterprises and organizations operational in the Southeast Asia country, such as Standard Chartered Bank, pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca, the British University Vietnam, and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.

Following this weekend, the festival will be underway in Ho Chi Minh City on September 16 and in Danang on October 16.