As proposed by the L’Appel organisation, Lorient city, in co-ordination with Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, chose May as “Vietnam Culture Month”.

L’Appel President Gildas Tregulier said the event focused on healthcare activities as well as culture, economics and literature.

It was also a chance to strengthen traditional cooperative ties among localities in Vietnam and the Bretagne region, he noted.

During the month, the people of Lorient attended seminars introducing Vietnam’s history, culture and tourism potential, a photography exhibition of the country’s landscape and people, films, cultural exchanges and a food festival.

Most notably, 120 examples of traditional long dresses (ao dai), symbolizing the beauty of Vietnamese women in the north, central and southern regions. The ao dai, designed by well-known Trong Nguyen, Viet Lien and Minh Hanh, impressed the French people.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Vietnam Culture Month, Vietnamese ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai expressed his gratitude towards the organising board, especially L’Appel.

He said he believes the event will open up new opportunities for Vietnam and France to strengthen ties in the future.