This was the first event co-organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and UNESCO under the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in France, the Vietnamese Mission to UNESCO, and France’s Bourquin School of Tourism and Cooking.
The two-day event programme included a symposium introducing UNESCO heritage sites in Vietnamese and Vietnamese culinary arts; an exhibition of eight UNESCO heritage sites in Vietnam and some quintessential Vietnamese culinary products; and an exchange between Vietnamese and French chefs.
In his opening remark, Deputy Head of the Department of Cultural Affairs and UNESCO Tran Quoc Khanh said that the event aimed to introduce the French people and international friends to Vietnam – a beautiful country with treasured heritage and savoury cuisine.
It also sought to create a dialogue on the two countries’ cultures through the introduction of natural heritages, cuisine and culture, he added.
He also expressed his hope that similar events will be held annually in other French localities to promote Vietnamese culture and cuisine among locals.
For his part, Antoine Parra, Mayor of Argelès-sur-Mer, welcomed the organisation of the event, describing it as a valuable opportunity for the residents to get to know more about Vietnam. He expressed his belief that exchange programmes like this would bring about practical results.
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Delegates at the event
Students of the Bourquin School of Tourism and Cooking admiring photos of Vietnam’s UNESCO-recognised heritages.
The two-day event attracted around 500 guests, representing local authorities, French businesses working in food tourism, owners of restaurants, journalists and chefs.
