Eva: I think that the most success that happened during the 2013 France-Vietnam Year and the 2014 Vietnam-France Year was that it not only helped promote familiar images, but also introduced modern cultural distinctive features through art performances by talented artists. For instance, the 2013 France-Vietnam Year ended with a special music and 3D lightshow held at the Doc Lap (Independence) Palace in Ho Chi Minh City that was accompanied by live music from French composer Orel and local singer Le Cat Trong Ly. The event, featuring visual effects, impressed the two countries’ people. The 2014 Vietnam-French Year included a show of brocade Ao dai at Versailles with a background of modern French music.
As for me, the cultural events which were held during 2013 and 2014 has strengthened and promoted mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.
 Eva Nguyen Binh, Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy in Vietnam. Photo: Tat Son/VNP  Eva Nguyen Binh speaks at a workshop on climate change held in November 12, 2014 at Le’Espace in Hanoi. Photo: File |
Reporter: As Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, could you talk about French support for Vietnam in the field of education and training?
Eva: France has placed much importance on promoting cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of education and training. For years, many French educational programmes, especially the French bilingual study programme, have been carried out from the primary to university level in Vietnam. We have sent many experts and consultants to Vietnam to support the country in reforming textbooks and providing skills of teaching and lecturing for French teachers. We
have also given partial support for the infrastructure of classrooms and improving the salary for bilingual teachers in schools which have French bilingual classes in Vietnam.
What we pay much attention to is the post-study profession for students. Therefore, besides ensuring the quality of teaching and studying in classes, we also organise field trips to help students learn about the requirements of job recruiters.
Reporter: Could you talk about the plan for cooperation in culture, education and training between the two countries in the future?
Eva: The cooperation in culture and education and training between the two countries has been highlighted for 20 years. In the near future, we will create a link among overseas Vietnamese students in France and Vietnamese students who studied or are studying French in Vietnam to create an information network, continue organising cultural exchange programmes at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Paris and L’Espace in Hanoi and Hue and IDECAF in Ho Chi Minh City.There will also be many projects in cooperation in the fields of tourism, cinema and cuisine to promote the image and the friendship between the two countries.
Reporter: Thank you very much!
Story: Ngan Ha – Photos: Tat Son & Files
