Visitors visit a Vietnamese pavilion. Photo: VNA

On the International Francophonie Day 2022 (March 20), the Vietnamese Cultural Center in France on March 19-20 represented Vietnam at the 2022 Francophonie Weekend.

Prominent at the entrance is a red flag with a yellow star and a Vietnamese pavilion with books, newspapers, souvenirs, musical instruments imbued with national culture.

The t'rung made of bamboo tubes, bilingual books introducing the homeland's sea and islands, and publications advertising Vietnam's tourist attractions have attracted the attention of many visitors.

Amandine Chouana, a young French-Lao person shared: "The Vietnam pavilion is beautifully presented, attractive with pictures, colorful decorative paper. I like Vietnamese hats and lanterns. Seeing them makes me want to visit your country again."

According to Nghiem Xuan Dong, head of the Vietnamese Cultural Center in France, "2022 Francophonie Weekend" is an initiative of Yebles village to respond to International Francophonie Day, and has been maintained for 7 years.

The Vietnamese Cultural Center in France always participates in this event, and leaves impressions on the Organizing Committee and the public.

Dong also said that Vietnam will be the guest of honor for the fifth season, scheduled to be held in 2024.

"We will bring cultural, sports and tourism activities to introduce to Francophonie countries. This helps them better understand the country and people of Vietnam," Dong said.

At this 4th "Francophonie Weekend", there were nearly 40 booths representing many Francophonie countries and localities, from African countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, to Asian countries such as Laos, Vietnam, from European countries such as Moldavie, France, or from North America such as the Quebec region of Canada.

This year, Moldavia, a small country located in Central Europe, was chosen as the guest of honor.

At the Vietnamese pavilion. Photo: VNA

According to Marième Tamata Varin, mayor of Yèbles village, after a year delay due to the pandemic, "Francophonie Weekend" was organized with the participation of 35 embassies, organizations and member associations of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

"The village of Yebles is proud to be chosen as a place for the Francophonie community from many countries to introduce their culture and strengthen solidarity. This will be an opportunity to bring the entire community together, strengthen friendship and creating a real bond between peoples for peace and co-existence on French territory," Varin said.

Marième Tamata Varin also appreciated Vietnam's participation in these events. She said it is the positivity, dynamism and unique features of Vietnamese culture that the organizers have invited the country as the guest of honor for the 5th season to be held in 2024.

To welcome this event, on the evening of March 19, the Vietnamese Cultural Center in France held a special launch ceremony with a program of food, music and martial arts, impressing the locals.

With 312 million speakers, French remains one of the most spoken languages in the world.

The 5th Francophonie Weekend in Yèbles city is scheduled to be held on March 20, 2024.

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