Festival promotes Việt Nam-India friendship, trade ties

Delegates carry out candle lighting ceremony - an Indian traditional ritual - at the opening ceremony of the third Namaste Vietnam (Hello Việt Nam) Festival in HCM City. VNA Photo

HCM CITY – The third Namaste Vietnam (Hello Việt Nam) Festival opened in HCM City on August 25, which is one of activities to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and India (1972-2024).

The event was held by the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations and the Consulate General of India in HCM City.

Speaking at the event, the Indian Consul General in HCM City, Madan Mohan Sethi, emphasised that the festival aims to bring the people of India and the people of Việt Nam closer together.

Việt Nam and India share the same motivation and aspiration for growth and development, he said, noting that the festival originally aimed to promote cultural connection, but now expands to the fields of business, tourism, railways and cinema.

He added that it is time for the people of India and Việt Nam to optimise the opportunities brought by their friendship and partnership in areas of mutual interest.

Chairman of the Việt Nam - India Friendship Association of HCM City Huỳnh Thanh Lập said activities in the festival are designed to help Vietnamese people learn more about Indian culture, people and country, contributing to enhance the two countries’ relations in general and the cooperation between HCM City and Indian localities in particular.

Besides HCM City, the festival is also taking place in the south central province of Khánh Hòa and Đà Lạt City in the Central Highland province of Lâm Đồng from August 25 - 31.

The festival includes traditional art performances and trade-tourism-education promotion activities. About 20 famous Indian artists, film producers, entertainment companies, 30 travel companies, 34 universities and 30 Indian businesses have come to Việt Nam to participate in the festival.

One of the main events of the festival is a ceremony to announce the production plan for the film Love in Việt Nam - a cooperation project between Việt Nam and India with filming locations in both countries. - VNA/VNS