Italian Festival Showcases Impressive Vietnamese Culture

The Vietnamese art troupe at the event. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese culture and the image of a peaceful and beautiful nation were showcased to international friends at an international festival held in Borgomanero district, Piemonte region of Italy, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The yearly festival, typically held in mid-May, gives foreign communities in Italy an opportunity to come together and share experiences with one another.

The Vietnamese delegation marching to the central square of Borgomanero during the festival. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese booth, which displayed traditional conical hats (non la) and calligraphy art, was a hit with many visitors, especially young people. People were drawn to the vibrant colors and unique craftsmanship of the non la and calligraphy art, making it a popular attraction.

Visitors were given the opportunity to experience Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress) shows, dragon dances, and martial arts performances, as well as sample traditional dishes of Vietnam.

A large number of participants were particularly impressed and enthusiastically cheered for the traditional ao dai show, lion dance, conical hats dance, along with martial arts performances.

Nguyen Hoang My, a resident of Piedmont who has attended the festival numerous times over the past 25 years, recounted: “At first, it was just my mother and I along with a friend, but eventually, people started coming in droves; there was even a martial arts and lion dance family from Milan!”

When the participants saw an Ao Dai, they exclaimed with admiration, “Oh, Vietnamese girls in an Ao Dai look so cute!” Afterwards, they all gathered to dance, the majority from Rome and Milan. Even those from far away had come to my house to practice beforehand, and we even organized cooking classes making spring rolls and dumplings in order to promote Vietnamese culture in Italy.

“I am incredibly proud of my Vietnamese heritage and want to share my knowledge of the rich culture with all of my friends,” My declared proudly.

After performing with his wife to break bricks with their bare hands, martial arts master Zucca Ricardo of the Thanh Long Vo Dao sect shared that he regularly practices and teaches Vietnamese martial arts in Italy. His connection to Vietnam began in 2003 when he made his first trip there to learn about traditional martial arts.

He had the privilege of visiting Vietnam in 2012, where he was exposed to the traditional values of Vietnamese martial arts. During his visit, he had the opportunity to meet his now wife, and the two of them were married in 2013. With the support of his family, he wanted to share the cultural values of these martial arts with the world by making a meaningful contribution to the festival.

Calligraphy at the Vietnam booth attracts young people to visit and experience. Photo: VNA

Sergio Vercelli, the head of the organizing committee, expressed his pleasure at the involvement of the Vietnamese community in the event and was astounded by their remarkable performances.

The festival ended with a spectacular parade to the main square of Borgomanero, which sought to promote a message of peace, friendship, and shared progress through diversity to all of the communities in Borgomarero and beyond, to countries, regions, and the entire world.

Last week, exquisite Vietnamese handicrafts were showcased at the MIDA – Florence International Crafts Fair 2023, held in Italy from April 25 to May 1. The event provided an opportunity for visitors to admire the intricate designs and craftsmanship of these unique pieces.

Co-organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture (AGRITRADE), this event brought together leaders of European and Italian craft associations, as well as Italian experts and businesses operating in the industry.

The annual fair drew in an impressive number of 500 exhibitors from over 50 countries all over the world, with Vietnam being one of them.