Paris (VNA) – A delegation of Thai Binh province held a conference in Paris on late April 10 to spotlight the life and contributions by scholar Le Quy Don, a great man of culture born in the northern province, while showcasing the local cultural richness and tourism potential.
The event, organised in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in France, Vietnam's Permanent Mission to UNESCO, and the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France, was part of efforts to persuade UNESCO to jointly celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of Le Quy Don (1726–1784) next year.
The same day, during the ongoing 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris, member states endorsed a proposal to the General Assembly for the co-celebration.
Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the Thai Binh People's Committee Pham Van Nghiem described Le Quy Don as an exceptional intellectual whose influence extended beyond Vietnam. He authored around 40 works covering diverse subjects such as history, geography, literature, philosophy, and classical commentary.
The Vietnamese Ambassador to France, Dinh Toan Thang, called on the Vietnamese community in France and international partners to help promote the scholar’s legacy and support Vietnam’s collaboration with UNESCO in commemorating his tricentennial in 2026.
The conference also drew proposals from French and Vietnamese cultural advocates.
Nguyen Hai Nam, President of the France – Vietnam Friendship Association, suggested introducing Le Quy Don’s legacy in French secondary schools, fostering academic cooperation between those institutions and the schools named after Le Quy Don in Vietnam, and enhancing ties between Thai Binh and French universities to initiate research projects on the scholar.
The conference also served as a platform to highlight Thai Binh’s appeal as a travel destination.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Thai Binh is home to a large number of cultural heritage elements, centuries-old structures holding historical, cultural, scientific and educational significance, unique folk arts such as "cheo" opera, traditional festivals, and coastal attractions.
He expressed his hope for more visitors and investors coming to Thai Binh.
In addition to promoting culture and tourism, the event also looked to explore opportunities for collaboration in healthcare, education, training, and human resources development, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Nghiem affirmed the province’s commitment to facilitating cultural and tourism exchanges with French partners, while also enhancing economic cooperation and promoting bilateral trade./.
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