The Order of Arts and Letters is one of the noble awards of the French Republic, honouring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of culture and arts.
Dr Ngo Phuong Lan has been recognised for her persistent dedication to Vietnamese cinema and her efforts to strengthen international cooperation in the field of cinema, especially with France.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Rachida Dati, French Minister of Culture, affirmed that this medal is a recognition of an extraordinary journey, the journey of a woman with boundless dedication to cinema, with an influence far beyond the borders of Viet Nam. Dr Ngo Phuong Lan is also a living symbol of the strong bond between the two countries.
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| The medal awarding ceremony for Dr Ngo Phuong Lan. |
Dr Ngo Phuong Lan is a film critic and expert, currently the President of the Viet Nam Cinema Promotion and Development Association — an organisation she founded in 2019 after ending her term as Director of the Department of Cinema (2012-2018). At the same time, she is also the founder and Director of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) — the first annual film festival in Viet Nam. DANAFF 2025 will include a special program on international co-production, with the support of the French Embassy and the French National Cinema Centre.
In her thank you speech, Dr Ngo Phuong Lan emotionally shared: “I would like to share this joy and honour with everyone! I would like to sincerely thank the French Minister of Culture, the Ambassador, and all the leaders and staff of the French Embassy, the French Institute in Viet Nam, as well as colleagues, journalists, family, friends, who have always cared for, supported and accompanied me unconditionally.”
The ceremony took place in Ha Noi in the presence of Mr Le Hai Binh, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with many guests from the film industry.
