Festival for foreign community held in Ho Chi Minh City

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on September 12 opened a festival entitled 'Ho Chi Minh City - Integration and Development', an event for foreigners living in the city, attracting the participation of 17 countries and thousands of people.

This is the second year the annual event was organised aiming to strengthening the friendship and solidarity between Ho Chi Minh City and other countries.

A cuisine pavilion at the festival on the night of September 12

Addressing the event, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City's People's Committee, Le Hoang Quan, said the event affirmed Vietnam's wish to be friends with other countries in support of peace, independence and mutual development goals.

He noted that the event also intends to create a chance for international friends and Ho Chi Minh City to introduce and promote their respective cultural identities.

One of the highlights of the festival is an exhibition on Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos among many other activities including,an exhibition on the city's foreign affairs, a book exhibition, costume displays, a cuisine contest, a singing contest, folk games and art performances.

Ho Chi Minh City has so far established brotherhood and co-operation relations with 34 localities across the world and had trade relations with more than 220 countries and territories. More than 300,000 foreigners are living, learning and working in the city.

The festival will run for three days and conclude on September 14.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)