(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam celebrated International Francophonie Day with a 2-day event called “Color of Francophonie” in downtown Hanoi on Friday and Saturday. The program was co-hosted by Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry, Hanoi authorities, and French-speaking diplomatic missions in Hanoi.
 (Source: Hanoi University of Science and Technology) |
International Francophonie Day is observed on March 20 each year to honor the French language and cultural diversity within the French-speaking community. A ceremony took place on Friday that included art performances by students and professional artists.
“We will present awards to a medical student in Thua Thien-Hue province and a teacher of French who have devoted themselves to promoting the French language,” Ms. Lucile Bruand, Education Attaché to the French Embassy told VOV.
 Organizers discuss celebrating 2019 International Francophonie Day in Hanoi. |
The “Color of Francophonie” event included a cuisine show, educational and entertainment activities, and a quiz. Minh Anh is a student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam said: “We are very excited to be part of this program. There have been many exchanges between French-speaking people.”
There was a parade on Friday of 1,000 students wearing T-shirts with five colors symbolizing the Francophone community. They formed a yellow, blue, green, red, and purple circle, the logo of the International Organization of Francophonie.
“The students came from schools where French is taught. We want to highlight French teaching in Vietnam,” Ms. Bruand said.
On Saturday, the Francophone University Association commemorated the 25th anniversary of its office in Vietnam.
“International Francophonie Day was celebrated on a larger scale this year. This helps to promote the image of the Francophonie community to Vietnamese people,” said Hoang Thanh Tam, a student of French at National University Hanoi.
Vietnam will host other events to mark International Francophonie Day throughout March.