The French Embassy in Vietnam on May 9 held a press conference launching a project named “Share and protect Vietnam’s heritage", reported VNA.

At the press conference at French Embassy in Hanoi. Photo: French Embassy in Hanoi

The project receives funding of VND 18 billion (USD 784,300) for activities during 2022-2024 from the French Government and partners such as museums, localities, and universities.

Sophie Maysonnave, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French embassy, said the project will be carried out in three regions of Vietnam: renovating the Tourist Centre of Cuc Phuong National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh, supporting Environmental Education and Communication Centre in Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area in the central province of Quang Nam, and designing and implementing “Story Boxes” for museums in Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

The project’s activities include training courses for museum staffs, which will be taught by experts from France’s famous museums and universities.

Cooperation between the two countries’ museums will also be intensified through field trips to exchange experience in the European country.

French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery said this project opens up a new stage in significant cooperation between the two countries, demonstrating both sides’ aspirations to boost ties in the field of natural and cultural heritage, especially in preservation activities.

Sharing France’s experience of managing heritage, the diplomat said that the quality and activities of heritage conservation and museums have made an important contribution to making France a leading tourist destination in the world and to the country’s economic growth.

Vietnam can take advantage of its culture and heritage to promote economic development, he added.

Villa at 49 Tran Hung Dao street. Photo: French Embassy in Hanoi

Earlier, the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem district in Hanoi and authorities of France’s Ile-de-France region started a project conserving a French-era villa at No. 49 Tran Hung Dao Street – No 46 Hang Bai Street.

Chairman of the district People’s Committee Pham Tuan Long said the conservation of the villa at No. 49 Tran Hung Dao Street – No 46 Hang Bai Street is part of a joint project on conserving the former French Quarter in Hanoi implemented by Hanoi and Ile-de-France region since 2007.

The villa will be restored on the principle of keeping to the maximum original items using both conventional and modern technical solutions.

Following the restoration, the villa will be used as a cultural exchange centre, which is in line with the city’s strategy of conserving and promoting the value of urban heritage sites, Long said.

The villa is expected to become a new tourism attraction, Photo: French Embassy in Hanoi

With its new function, the villa is expected to become a new tourism attraction, where visitors can explore the formation of the so-called French Quarter in Hanoi, the influence and intermingling between the Vietnamese and French cultures not only in terms of architecture but also lifestyle throughout the first half of the 20th century.

Besides, the French-era building would be an ideal place to hold promotion events for Vietnam-France trade and economic cooperation.

Hanoi has rich urban heritage, with the Thang Long ancient citadel, the Old Quarter and the former French Quarter. Among them, the former French Quarter has its own charm with tree-lined wide streets and French-style villas that gives Hanoi a unique feel like nowhere else in East Asia.

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