A festival highlighting the process of international integration and development in Ho Chi Minh City opened on September 12 with the participation of 17 countries worldwide.
The second annual event is exclusively designed for foreigners living in the city. It offers an opportunity for the participating nations to introduce their cultural identities while promoting the land and people of Vietnam.
Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan said the festival mirrors Vietnam’s wish to become a friend of all countries as well as its endeavours for peace, independence and development.
Tracy Peterson, American tourist, said he felt very lucky to be in the city for this festival. It’s very easy to tell that Vietnamese culture is very proud and wonderful and it’s easy to see how much Vietnamese people love their country.
Siron Uribe, Colombian tourist, said that this great festival is an opportunity to see the special tradition in Vietnam and how happy Vietnamese are.
The festival creates a chance for Vietnam to engage in exchanges with foreign countries, introduce its special cultural identities and heighten its position in the world, said Nguyen The Huy, student from Ho Chi Minh University of Science
The three-day festival features a string of activities with the most worthy of note being an exhibition on the city’s socio-economic, cultural and diplomatic achievements and the other on Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.
This year’s festival focuses on the city’s achievements as well as the beauty of the Vietnamese land and people, said Le Ton Thanh, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, adding it creates a playground for foreign countries to introduce their cultural identities, thus boosting the cultural exchange between Vietnam and other nations.
Other activities include a book exhibition, a fashion show, a cuisine contest, a singing competition and art performances.
Thr City has so far established the twining relationship with 34 localities across the world. It has developed trade relations with more than 220 countries and territories. Over 300,000 foreigners are living, learning and working in the city.-VNA
