(VOVWORLD) - The Belgian Culture & Food Festival 2023 (B.Fest 2023) opened in Hai Phong city on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Belgium diplomatic ties.
 Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Karl Van den Bossche speaks at the event (Photo: Thanh Nga/VOV) |
This is the largest Belgian culture and food event ever hosted in Vietnam.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Karl Van den Bossche said: "Only last month, I was here with the Minister-President Jan Jambon and a delegation of 30 companies. The Minister-President was very impressed and took due note of the forward-looking messages he received here. And it’s not the only official visit to Vietnam this year. We have a very busy year because we are celebrating the 50th years of bilateral relations between Belgium and Vietnam. This year is marked by 6 high-level visits and events, and will end our jubilee celebration with a big splash - a state visit of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Belgium to Vietnam in October 2024."
 Visitors to the festival enjoy Belgian food and beers, an UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage. (Photo: Thanh Nga/VOV) |
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Khac Nam said that the festival will help Vietnamese people learn more about Belgium’s culture and attract more investment to Hai Phong.
He said: "I hope the festival will continue to be held annually as it means a lot not only to locals and Belgian living in Hai Phong, but also to visitors. With the support of the Vietnamese and Belgian people, our bilateral ties will flourish."
During the course of three days, B.Fest 2023 treats attendants to a carnival parade, a musical concert, fireworks, waltz dances, flair bartending demonstrations, skating performances, among many other exciting activities.
The festival area is inspired by Belgium’s famous landmark, the Atomium. The event also introduces to visitors nearly 30 premium craft beers directly imported from Belgium and specialty dishes steeped in Belgian style.
They can also learn about the history of Belgian craft beers and why the beverage is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.