(VOVworld) – The France Year in Vietnam’s closing ceremony has taken place in Ho Chi Minh city.

The light and music performances of a troupe from Lyon region, France were considered the highlight of the event. The designs of the Reunification Hall featuring the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, the ancestors of Vietnamese nation to Vietnam in the contemporary period have left a deep impression on the audience. Xavier Darcos, President of French Institute in Vietnam, said: "The Reunification Hall is the most significant place to organize the event. This is a historic place in Ho Chi Minh city which witnessed Vietnam's independence and reunification. Through the performances, we want to introduce Vietnamese friends to a France which is creative and advanced in technology, open to the world and looks forward to the future".

Earlier, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh city’s people’s committee Le Hoang Quan received Xavier Darcos. The two sides agreed that the lifting of Vietnam-France relations to the level of strategic partnership has opened many opportunities to promote multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries. The organization of the ceremony to mark the 40^th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic relations and France Year in Vietnam in 2013 and Vietnam Year in France in 2014 will help promote bilateral ties.