Delegates at the opening ceremony (Photo: Thanh Vu/ VNA)

The week-long festival, held by the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, was coincided with a similar event in Khanh Hoa province aiming to promote cultural exchange and cooperation in trade, investment, education, IT, tourism, and healthcare between the two countries.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma said the festival is to concretize the Indian Government’s Look East policy, in which Vietnam plays a very important role.

This is also an opportunity to exchange cultures and boost trade and investment with the direct flight route between Vietnam and India expected to connect the two nations.

Tran Phuoc Anh, Director of HCMC’s Department of Foreign Affairs, spoke highly of the festival initiative saying the event will be a great success, thereby enhancing bilateral ties..