(VNF) - The flavours of international cuisine and entertainment activities have been offered during the annual food festival held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 11^th at Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound.

The event took place on December 11^th at Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, 298 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi.

The event took place on December 11^th at Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, 298 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi.

Mrs. Nguyen Nguyet Nga, spouse of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and many representatives of foreign Embassies in Vietnam attended the event.

Visitors to the festival had chance to enjoy music and dance performances at the more than 117 food displays and learn more about culinary arts of other countries such as Russia, Mexico, Columbia, Cuba, Egypt, Chile, Peru, Romania, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar and Brunei.

There was also a wide variety of charitable events raising money for the needy and disadvantaged for which the donations have been earmarked for the support of orphans and people with disabilities.

The kiosk of the Vietnam in the festival was one of the places attracting the largest number of visitors.

Vietnam’s cuisine with Vietnamese sandwich, bun dau mam tom (fermented shrimp paste with fried tofu and rice vermicelli), and other traditional dishes lured visitors to the booth.

The food festival, fourth of its kind, attracted thousands of visitors of the diplomatic corps and the local people.

It was also meant to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and international countries, giving Vietnamese an opportunity to get to know the culture, cuisine and people of participated countries.

At the event, participated Embassies also presented VND 100 million (USD 4,431) to unprivileged children at Duc Linh primary school (Vu Quang, Ha Tinh province) and 30 flood-affected families./.

Representatives of participated Embassies presented donated to Vietnamese children and 30 families from recent flood-affected areas.

Greece Ambassador to Vietnam, Nikos D. Kanellos offered the three first paintings that he painted in Vietnam for charity to help Vietnamese people and children in the flooded area.

Minh Phuong