Held after 3 years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, this is a major celebration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Vietnam-France.
This is also an important cultural event organized by the Embassy of Vietnam in France in collaboration with the city of Paris to contribute to promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The event was attended by representatives of local authorities, diplomatic missions in Paris, friends and associations which have cooperating relations with Vietnam and many overseas Vietnamese in France.
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| The Vietnamese traditional Tet holiday to welcome the new year of the Cat of 2023 is solemnly held at the Paris City Hall. (Photo: NDO) |
On behalf of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Emmanuel Grégoire - First Deputy Mayor - expressed his honor to attend the Vietnamese traditional New Year celebration to welcome the Year of the Cat 2023 with faith and hope for happiness, peace, and prosperity. The event was meant to strengthen the friendship between Paris and Vietnam.
According to Emmanuel Grégoire, the year 2023 has important and symbolic significance for both France and Vietnam, marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords and the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is an opportunity to look back on the journey of cooperation and friendship, including the city's active contribution to the development of relations between the two countries and between localities.
He also affirmed that the city of Paris is ready to share ideas and experiences in line with the commitments and actions of Paris, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, within the framework of C40 (network of major cities in the world) in responding to climate change-related challenges.
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| The first deputy mayor of Paris, Mr. Emmanuel Grégoire, sends his best wishes to the Vietnamese community in France. (Photo: NDO) |
Thanking Mayor Anne Hidalgo and the city government for creating conditions to organize the celebration of Vietnamese traditional Tet, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang emphasized that Lunar New Year is a sacred moment for generations of Vietnamese people to reunite with family and friends.
According to Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, the year 2022 faced many challenges related to stability and development but also witnessed great efforts of the two countries to strengthen cooperation, connectivity, and solidarity after a period of isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is reflected in the resumption of exchanges in all fields and at all levels in the bilateral relationship, especially the meetings between President Emmanuel Macron and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan at the Francophonie Summit and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the APEC Summit in November 2022.
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| Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed his belief that in the new year of 2023, there will be a new development in the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and France. (Photo: NDO) |
The exchanges at the ministerial and local levels have contributed to the promotion of new cooperation initiatives and projects, thereby reflecting the closeness and diversity in the cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
The year 2023 marks an important milestone in the history of Vietnam-France relations. It is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam, an event of historical significance that goes beyond the borders of Vietnam and affirms the aspiration and determination to fight for the peace of the Vietnamese people.
Soon after the Accords, in April 1973, France and Vietnam officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past 50 years, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have been constantly developing and Vietnam – France established a strategic partnership since 2013. The relationship is close in all fields, with a common will and joint efforts of the two countries.
Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang emphasized that all actions and commitments, whether of France or Vietnam, have contributed to cultivating friendship. They are evidence and impetus for the bilateral relationship between France and Vietnam to develop to the next level.
The friendship and cooperative relationship between the two countries has also contributed to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic development and biodiversity conservation, as well as cultural exchange and research.
He also expressed his belief that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, between Paris city and localities of Vietnam, will develop significantly in the future.
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| The Homeland choir of the Vietnamese community in France presents the "First Spring" choir. (Photo: NDO) |
On the celebration of the lunar new year, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang sent his best wishes to the Vietnamese community in France, hoping that they would unite and join hands to build a growing community, deepening integration into the host society, and further contribute to the development and international integration of the homeland.
The New Year celebration at Paris City Hall is also an opportunity to express gratitude to generations of Vietnamese-French associations who have attached and helped Vietnam, connected the community, and promoted the image of the country, its people, culture, and tradition.
Since its first celebration at Paris City Hall in 2013, Vietnam's traditional Tet has attracted many French people for its unique cultural features.
Attending Tet celebration for the first time, Bertrand de Hartingh gave a glowing review.
“I feel very happy because Vietnam's traditional Tet is now known to many people in France and bears the imprint of Vietnam. I see that the Vietnamese Tet clearly reflects the cohesion and national identity in this evening because of the participation of many young Vietnamese people.
I have been to Vietnam since the 1990s, at a time when Vietnam was still facing many difficulties as a consequence of the war. Since the doi moi, every time I return to Vietnam, I am surprised by the continuous and impressive development of the country. I feel that Vietnam is an extremely intelligent and determined people. And every traditional Tet celebration is an occasion for me to clearly see the spirit and identity of Vietnam”.
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| Bertrand de Hartingh and Huong Lan shared their feelings about celebrating the traditional New Year in France. (Photo: NDO) |
His wife, Huong Lan was moved to celebrate Tet away from home.
“Every Tet, I feel nostalgic for my homeland, for Hanoi, and for my family. Being invited to attend today's ceremony at Paris City Hall, I see many familiar things such as the Vietnamese ao dai. That makes me very happy.
Although I am living far from my homeland, I always look towards Vietnam and I feel very proud of the development of my country, especially in the economic field. I would like to send my best wishes to my compatriots in my homeland for a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year with lots of luck and progress in international integration”.
In a warm, friendly and exciting atmosphere to welcome the new year, the Vietnamese community, French and international friends, enjoyed a special cultural program praising the country and tried many Vietnamese traditional dishes.
Long Phạm / Vietnamtimes
