Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang spoke at the event.

The event aims to strengthen connections with associations, organizations and mass organizations in France that have activities in solidarity and friendship with Vietnam. It also restarts association activities after the interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event was attended by more than 20 Vietnamese, French, and French-Vietnamese associations from many provinces and cities in France, and a large number of overseas Vietnamese, Vietnamese students studying and working in France.

A delegation of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Association of Friendship and Cooperation Vietnam-France led by Nguyen Van Doanh, vice chairman of VUFO also attended the event.

At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang emphasized the role of associations in solidarity with Vietnam in the struggle for national liberation and national development.

According to the Ambassador, these factors are both the foundation and pillar of the relationship between Vietnam and France. It brings the two countries closer together on social and human values, creating solid links in politics, economics, science and culture.

The Ambassador expressed his pleasure to see that the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and France maintained between the two countries for generations, adapted by the action of cooperation and coordination at several levels, constitute eloquent proofs of the strategic partnership between France and Vietnam

He urged the associations to participate in major events in the bilateral relations in the time ahead, including the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic ties, and 10 years of the signing of their strategic partnership.

Sharing about the reason for choosing Malakoff to organize this 3rd event, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang said that this city has a tradition of solidarity with Vietnam, cultivated by Léo Figuèrres - mayor of Malakoff for thirty years (1965-1996) and author of a book entitled Je reviendrai du Vietnam libre (I will return from free Vietnam). The book aims to demand the end of colonial wars and the return of peace in this small country

The Ambassador expressed his gratiude for Vietnam's French friends.

"Today, in Malakoff, together with all the associations of friendship with Vietnam in France, I want to affirm once again that we always remember the French people, like Léo Figuèrres, who stood by our side in the war, promoted peace," said the Ambassador. "We also appreciate all the efforts of cities and associations that share with Vietnam the common values of peace and solidarity."

Jacqueline Belhomme, mayor of Malakoff city.

The representative of Malakoff city, Mayor Jacqueline Belhomme expressed her honor to host this event again in her city.

The city has a long tradition of advocating for peace, unity and self-determination of peoples, she said. According to her, the friendship between Vietnam and Malakoff is the fruit of this tradition created by people like Léo Figuères.

As for the head of the VUFO delegation, Nguyen Van Doanh reviewed the history of friendly cooperation and interpersonal exchanges between France and Vietnam.

Vice President of VUFO Nguyen Van Doanh. Photo: VNA

He said: "The Vietnamese people always remember and are extremely grateful to the French people. VUFO always appreciates the contributions of mass associations and organizations in France, especially the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV) in solidarity and friendship with Vietnam."

Sharing the role of VUFO, he said that as a central force of people-to-people diplomacy, VUFO is renovating the content and mode of operation to promote the pioneering role of foreign affairs in Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Doanh also said that the Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Day is one of the key activities of VUFO and AAFV in the efforts to promote the development of Vietnam and France, connecting the Vietnamese people with international friends and partners with the common goal of peace, cooperation and sustainable development".

Awarding Medals to a number of individuals and organizations.

On this occasion, the vice president of VUFO and the Vietnamese ambassador to France awarded medals and satisfactions to people and organizations with typical contributions to friendship and solidarity activities with Vietnam.

Within the framework of the event, two seminars with the theme "Health, education and cultural exchange as the basis of friendship and solidarity between France and Vietnam" and "Cooperation and solidarity between France and Vietnam in the face of new challenges of climate change and sustainable development" were held. They were led by university lecturers, attracting the attention of a large number of listeners.

Seminar "Cooperation and solidarity between France and Vietnam in the face of new challenges of climate change and sustainable development". Photo: VNA

The musical documentary film "Once Upon a Bridge in Vietnam" by the young Franco-Vietnamese director François Bibonne, which tells the story of his journey to find his grandmother's roots and the author's love for this distant country, left strong emotions in the hearts of the audience.

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