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On March 15, 2023, at the French Residence, the French Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, together with the French Institute in Vietnam, held a press conference to introduce and officially launch the "2023 Cultural Activities Program" to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between France and Vietnam.
The press conference was attended by: Ms. Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser – Consul General of France, Ms. Sophie Maysonnave – Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, Ms. Frédérique Horn – Director of the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, and designer Hoang Hai.
The press conference was also attended by representatives from the sponsors Air France, Mega Market, Sofitel Saigon Plaza, and BNP PARIBAS.
series of cultural activities
In the cultural field, this year, the French Embassy in Vietnam, the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, the French Institute in Vietnam, along with many French and Vietnamese partners, will organize a wide variety of rich and attractive events across the country, encompassing exhibitions, performances, concerts, food festivals, and cultural events, to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Some of the highlights of the 2023 Cultural Program:
- In HanoiThe first Biennale (a regularly held exhibition) on photography, "Photo Hanoi 23," will take place from April 21, 2023, to the end of May. Hanoi will host approximately 20 exhibitions and events centered around photography.
- In Da NangFrom March to June, a French-language song contest will take place. This contest is open to contestants from all parts of Vietnam who wish to showcase their singing, dancing, or musical talents through a piece in French.
- In HueIn December, a large-scale light, music, and video mapping show will be held in front of the Ngo Mon Gate at the Hue Imperial Citadel. This project is being implemented in close cooperation with the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province. A team of experts from France will work alongside the Vietnamese team to create the show, providing an opportunity for Vietnam to learn about light show technology – a strength of France.
- In Ho Chi Minh CityThe French Institute in Vietnam will celebrate the French art of living, with its profound influence on Vietnamese culture, through the "French Lifestyle" program.
Posters showcasing French culture, cuisine, fashion, and lifestyle were displayed outside the French Residence.
Program of the French Institutein Ho Chi Minh CityIt is divided into two seasons: the Food Season and the Fashion & Design Season.
Food season
From March to June 2023, the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City will host a series of events centered around French cuisine.
The event begins with a series of panel discussions on the intersections and influences between French and Vietnamese cuisine, wine, the history of bread, diplomatic cuisine, coffee, cocoa, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the essence of French cuisine, meet renowned chefs and experts to discuss and share the common passion of both countries.
Next, there will be a culinary week featuring cooking classes for young Vietnamese chefs. This week is organized in collaboration with the renowned Ferrandi Paris School, which trains famous French chefs.
In addition, many other unique culinary events will be held featuring Chef Guillaume Gomez, former head chef to the French President at the Elysée Palace and Ambassador of French Cuisine. Currently, Guillaume Gomez is the French Special Envoy for Cuisine.
Finally, at schools offering French-Vietnamese bilingual programs and French schools, there will be traveling exhibitions about cacao – often called Vietnam's "black gold".
Additionally, in May, the French trade agency Business France will also organize a French-style bread-making competition for Vietnamese bakers.
Kicking off this special Culinary Season will be a panel discussion titled "Intersecting Perspectives in French-Vietnamese Cuisine," taking place at 6 PM on Thursday, March 23rd, at the Sofitel Saigon Hotel. This event is completely free and open to everyone. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience French specialties and listen to insights from French culinary experts.
Fashion and Design Season
From June to December this year, the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City will organize a series of "Fashion and Design" events with prestigious French partners: major French fashion and perfume houses, the French Fashion Institute, the French Federation of Fashion and Haute Couture... All the big names in the French fashion industry, in training as well as the creative industry, will be present in Vietnam.
Throughout the Fashion and Design Season, there will be a series of panel discussions on haute couture, sustainable fashion, eco-friendly design, slow fashion, perfumes, and more. This is an opportunity for the public to meet leading figures in each field.
Miss Vietnam 2020 runner-up Pham Ngoc Phuong Anh was also present at the press conference.
Specifically, from June to October, the "Fashion in Paris" competition will take place for young talents in Vietnam's fashion design industry. The judging panel, comprised of prominent figures in both French and Vietnamese fashion, will select the eight best finalists. The final round will be a fashion show at a French residence, where each contestant will present their ideas to the judges. The prize for the winner will be a high-end fashion training trip to Paris in 2024.
In October, Fashion Night will take place, a spectacular event where fashion enthusiasts and experts can immerse themselves in the French haute couture industry. Throughout the evening, fashion shows will be interspersed with expert presentations on various fashion topics: the French haute couture industry, the development of the Vietnamese market for French luxury goods, fashion education in France, digital transformation in the fashion industry in France and Vietnam, and more.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam, the film industry is also an indispensable element. Representatives stated that, around the end of 2023, France will facilitate opportunities for young Vietnamese directors to participate in film festivals such as Cannes and meet film producers from around the world.
Here is some additional information about the program.
CULTURAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM 2023
of the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City
Time Type of event Event name 23/03/2023 Roundtable discussion A fusional perspective in French-Vietnamese cuisine. Early April 2023 French Food Week Seminar "French Cuisine" Seminar "French Wine" This workshop is for young people specializing in pastry making, and will be led by chefs from the FERRANDI Paris culinary school. April 2023 Exhibition Vietnamese Cacao Early May 2023 Competition Launching the "Fashion in Paris" fashion design competition. Mid-May 2023 Roundtable discussion History of bread Roundtable discussion Diplomatic cuisine Late May 2023 Roundtable discussion Coffee: a shared passion Roundtable discussion Vietnamese Cacao June 2023 Roundtable discussion Perfume & Inventor September 2023 Roundtable discussion French influence in Vietnamese fashion October 2023 Competition Final round of the "Fashion in Paris" fashion design competition. October 2923 Fashion Night The fashion show was combined with a talk on various fashion-related topics: the French haute couture industry, the development of the Vietnamese market with French luxury goods, fashion education programs in France, digital transformation in the fashion industry in France and Vietnam, etc. November 2023 Roundtable discussion Slow Fashion November 2023 Roundtable discussion Environmentally friendly fashion design December 2023 Roundtable discussion Arts-related professions
