The Vietnam National Library (VNL) received more than 2,000 books from the French National Book Centre, the National Library of France and the French Embassy in Vietnam on April 8.

Published by France’s most prestigious publishing houses, the works cover diverse fields, from history to literature and poetry to philosophy and law.

VNL Director Phan Thi Kim Dung said that the books will be precious resources for both Vietnamese and foreign researchers focusing on French society and culture.

Up to 500 of the books will be on display at the library (located at 31 Trang Thi Street ) until April 14.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to see French books translated into Vietnamese as well as those written in Vietnamese about France. A highlight of the show is a collection of books dating back to the 19 th century that explain the history, geography and culture of the three Indochinese countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

“This is an excellent occasion for those who love France and Francophone countries to understand and explore their diverse aspects of traditional and contemporary life and society,” said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourisms Huynh Vinh Ai.

The event will also promote the exchange of friendship between the people of Vietnam and France and other Francophone countries, Ai added.

According to First Counselor of the French Embassy in Vietnam E tienne de Gonneville, the book exhibition is an important event marking the opening of the France-Vietnam year of friendship, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

The launch of the France-Vietnam year was held on April 9 at the French Embassy in Hanoi in the presence of French Minister of Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq and Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh.-VNA