The 21^st Francophone Day of the Mekong Delta opened in Ben Tre on March 11^th in celebration of the International Francophonie Day (March 20^th) and to mark the 45^th anniversary of the Vietnam – France diplomatic ties (April 12^th).

An art performance at the celebration. (Source: VNA)

The event was jointly organised by the Ben Tre province chapter of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, Francophone international organisations, and Can Tho University.

Many activities were held during the event, including a French speaking contest on the theme of Vietnamese and French cuisine, a cooking contest focusing on French dishes, and bilingual art exchanges.

Jean Philippe Rousse, attaché of cooperation and cultural activities at the Consulate General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, said French is the fifth most widely used, the second mostly learnt language in the world and the second official language at international organisations.

Ben Tre has the largest numbers of French language learners and teachers in the Mekong Delta region, with 4,000 students and 30 teachers at secondary and high school levels.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Phuoc said more than 100 graduates from the Ben Tre senior high school for gifted students have received tertiary education in France.

Over the past time, numerous local students have received scholarships of France-based universities and institutes, which will encourage more students to learn French and lay the foundation for the cooperation between Ben Tre and France in the future, he said.

Visitors at the event. (Source: bentre.edu.vn)

The Francophone Day of the Mekong Delta is the biggest annual get-together of the Francophone community in the Mekong Delta.

It is rotationally organised by four regional localities. This is the fourth time Ben Tre province has ever hosted the event./.

VNF/VNA