A cultural festival in Paris brought Vietnamese traditions to life over a two-day event that drew diplomats, artists, students, and members of the overseas community. The event, called Bonjour Vietnam, was held on June 13–14 at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France in Paris, France. It aimed to share Vietnamese heritage with international visitors and strengthen cultural ties between Vietnam and France.
Among the attendees were Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, and Director of the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France Dinh Ngoc Duc. Representatives of Vietnamese associations and members of the Vietnamese community in France also joined the event, showing strong community support and diplomatic presence.
Held at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France in Paris, France, the festival introduced Vietnamese culture through many activities. Visitors explored a photo exhibition titled “Vietnam through five senses,” a street food area with Vietnamese dishes, and workshops on Dong Ho folk painting and traditional calligraphy. Guests also tried painting on conical hats, paper fans, and bamboo dragonflies, creating a hands-on cultural experience.
A key highlight was the art programme “Colours of Vietnam,” which featured performances created and staged by young Vietnamese participants. The show reflected modern and traditional cultural themes and was designed to connect younger generations with their roots.
This year’s festival was prepared over several months with strong involvement from young Vietnamese living in Vietnam, France, the United States, Australia, and China. According to organisers, participants aged between 14 and 20 took part in planning, rehearsals, and performances, making the event highly collaborative and youth-driven.
The festival also attracted international visitors, including French attendees and students participating in a summer camp in France. Many said the event made them feel closer to Vietnamese culture through music, food, and hands-on activities. Organisers said the festival helps promote Vietnam’s image abroad while strengthening cultural exchange between overseas generations and global audiences.
The non-profit initiative continues to promote Vietnamese culture in France through art, food, and education. It also strengthens bonds between overseas Vietnamese communities and international friends, helping younger generations stay connected to their heritage while sharing it with the world.
Meritorious Artist Tang Thanh Son, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France, said the festival is more than a cultural event. He said it helps young overseas Vietnamese feel proud of their roots. He added that each edition of the festival builds a shared space where young people can learn, create, and share Vietnamese traditions with global audiences.
Hoang Thu Trang, a member of the organising board, said the programme was built entirely by young people. She said participants from different countries worked together on ideas, rehearsals, and performances. She noted that this youth-led approach helped strengthen cultural identity and teamwork among overseas Vietnamese youth.
Student Dang Phan Anh, a 12th-grade student from Vietnam attending the summer camp in France, said the performances and music made him feel at home. He said the festival created a warm atmosphere that helped him better understand Vietnamese culture while being abroad.
Officials said the festival reflects growing cultural cooperation between Vietnam and France, especially in Paris, a city known for international arts and cultural exchange. The Vietnam Cultural Centre in France, under guidance linked to cultural diplomacy efforts and UNESCO-related cooperation, continues to promote Vietnamese heritage to global audiences. Organisers said events like Bonjour Vietnam help build stronger understanding between communities and encourage tourism interest in Vietnam. Visitors in Paris showed strong interest in Vietnamese cuisine, traditional crafts, and live performances. Many French attendees joined workshops and asked questions about Vietnamese history and daily life. Organisers believe these interactions help reduce cultural distance and build long-term friendship between nations. They also said the festival supports younger generations of overseas Vietnamese in maintaining identity while adapting to life in different countries.
Organisers said the festival will continue in future years, with new themes and wider participation, aiming to keep Vietnamese culture visible and accessible to global audiences in Europe.
