President of the French Senate opens new headquarters of the French Institute in Vietnam

President of the Senate of the French Republic, Gérard Larcher, attended the opening ceremony of the French Institute in Vietnam on December 8 as part of his activities during an official visit to the country from December 8-9.

The inauguration of the French Institute takes place on December 8 in Hanoi. Photo: VOV

At the ceremony,  Gérard Larcher said that the French Institute is an open place, essential for promoting knowledge, ideas, projects, and creativity between Vietnam and France.

"As a window to France, the French Institute makes a decisive contribution to disseminating the French language and values. With its French courses and exams, a multimedia library, a place for debates and Campus France activities, the institute contributes to facilitating studies in France and supporting cultural and creative industries," he stressed.

According to him, the French Institute is considered a pillar of cultural exchange between France and Vietnam, where many cultural activities with diverse topics are organized, such as cinema, music, and performing arts, among others.

These activities have helped to strengthen the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. And the new location of the French Institute in Vietnam marks a new beginning for a better future relationship between the Vietnamese and French partners.

According to Nguyen Van Hung, Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, during the past 50 years since the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France was set up (April 12, 1973), the strategic partnership and cultural cooperation between the two countries has been increasingly tightened, and has made effective and great progress.

Many cultural and tourism cooperation activities within the bilateral and multilateral framework have been implemented, attracting the participation of the two countries' agencies, associations, and businesses.

Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for French tourists, while France is one of the cultural and tourist destinations favored by many Vietnamese people.

The President of the Senate of the French Republic and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam then cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new French Institute at No. 8 and No. 15 Thien Quang Street, Hai Ba Trung District in Hanoi.