Experience the taste of France right in the heart of Hanoi.

This is the first time the annual festival showcasing French culture has been held in Hanoi, following many successful events in Ho Chi Minh City. While previous events focused primarily on cuisine, this time in Hanoi, the organizers aim to bring the most exquisite and distinctive aspects of French culture to the public.

Speaking at the event's press conference, Ambassador Bertnand Lortholary said: “The 2018 French Festival (Balade en France 2018) focuses on two main themes: culture and tourism. This year's festival will offer people the opportunity to 'travel to France right in the heart of Hanoi,' experience the feeling of strolling through 'Parisian streets' during Christmas, and enjoy the cuisine and distinctive art of the land of the hexagon." He also expressed his hope that, through this year's festival, the diplomatic relations and cooperation between Vietnam and France will become even stronger, writing a new and bright future.

Đại sứ Pháp và các tham tán chia sẻ thông tin về — The French ambassador and counselors shared information about the "French Festival 2018" at the press conference.

According to the organizers' plan, at the main stage near the Ly Thai To monument, the public will be immersed in a cultural atmosphere and enjoy a French music feast with more than 30 performances throughout the festival days, presented by Vietnamese and French artists. In addition, French culture will be showcased through art performances, outdoor film screenings, cooking demonstrations, street painting… and especially the Christmas tree lighting ceremony celebrating a peaceful Christmas season.

"Living statues," one of the characteristic outdoor art forms of French culture, will be introduced to the public as part of the festival.

The French Embassy in Vietnam also took this opportunity to promote its "Green Embassy" project to the people of Hanoi. This is one of the projects the embassy is actively implementing, focusing on raising awareness of environmental protection, changing behavior regarding the use of plastic bags, encouraging the use of public transportation, and planting more trees in residential and work areas.