(VOVworld)- On Friday, the Vietnamese Foreign Minisrtry and the Organization of International Francophone (OIF) held a meeting to mark International Francophonie Day, which falls on March 20.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc presents the State President’s Friendship Order to OIF and the Agency of Francophone University(AUF) in recognition of their contributions to the relationship between Vietnam and the OIF over the past 20 years.

In his address, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc praised the Francophone Community’s contributions to promoting solidarity and cooperation for peace and development between member countries. Mr. Ngoc said Vietnam treasured its cooperation with the Francophone Community, a prioritized partner that helps Vietnam implement its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of relations, and international integration. Anissa Barrak, Regional Representative of OIF’s Asia Pacific Region highlighted cooperation between Vietnam and OIF in recent years and acknowledged Vietnam’s position in the organization. On the occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc presented the State President’s Friendship Order to OIF and the Agency of Francophone University in recognition of their contributions to the relationship between Vietnam and the OIF over the past 20 years.

The Hanoi University organized several activities to mark the occasion. A number of universities in Hanoi displayed their images at the event. Nguyen Thuy Duong is a student of French at the Hanoi University: “Attending this event, I want to know more about the Francophone Community and learn more about French-speaking universities in Vietnam and in the region”.Typical cuisines of various localities in Vietnam and France were also introduced at the event. The Vietnamese Embassy and 14 diplomatic agencies of the Francophone Community in Cuba organized a Culture Week in Havana and Santiago to mark International Francophone Day. The event will feature film screenings, drama, performances, photo exhibitions, writing contests, and seminars to introduce cultures of Fracophone countries. The Vietnamese Embassy will showcase Vietnamese traditional long dress and cuisines.