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The festival was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai; Ambassador and Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh; Director of the Vietnam Cultural Center in France Dinh Ngoc Duc; as well as representatives of numerous Vietnamese associations and the overseas Vietnamese community in France.

Held at the Vietnam Cultural Center in Paris’s 13th arrondissement, this year’s “Bonjour Vietnam” featured a diverse range of activities aimed at introducing the beauty of Vietnamese culture to the international public. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the photo exhibition “Vietnam through five senses,” enjoy iconic Vietnamese street food, and participate in cultural experience spaces featuring Dong Ho folk painting, calligraphy writing, and the decoration of conical hats, paper fans, and bamboo dragonflies.

Visitors tour the “Vietnam through five senses” photo exhibition. (Photo: Toucher Arts)

A highlight of the festival was the artistic program “Colors of Vietnam,” which showcased meticulously staged performances that vividly reflected both the country’s traditional cultural values and its contemporary spirit.

According to Meritorious Artist Tang Thanh Son, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Cultural Center in France, after three editions, “Bonjour Vietnam” has grown beyond a simple cultural promotion event to become a bridge connecting generations of overseas Vietnamese with their homeland.

He noted that the program’s overarching objective is to create an environment where younger generations can engage with, preserve, and promote Vietnamese cultural values. While each edition introduces new themes and activities, strengthening community ties and promoting Vietnam’s image remain at the heart of the festival.

Visitors experience decorating bamboo dragonflies at the festival. (Photo: Toucher Arts)

The success of the program is the result of months of preparation involving numerous young Vietnamese living in different countries. Notably, this year’s “Colors of Vietnam” artistic program was conceived, rehearsed, and performed by young people aged 14 to 20.

According to Hoang Thu Trang, a member of the organizing committee, the performances featured children and young people from Vietnam, France, the United States, Australia, and China. The enthusiastic response from both French audiences and the Vietnamese community has served as a great source of encouragement for these young participants to continue preserving and promoting their cultural heritage.

For many young participants attending the 2026 Summer Camp in France, the festival provided unforgettable experiences. Dang Phan Anh, a 12th-grade student at the Experimental Education Science High School, said that it was his first time participating in a large-scale community event abroad.

“The artistic performances and the distinctly Vietnamese atmosphere made me feel as if I were back home. The program helps young people living far from their homeland stay connected to their roots and feel even prouder of their cultural identity,” Phan Anh shared.

This year’s “Colors of Vietnam” artistic program was conceived, rehearsed, and performed by young people aged 14 to 20. (Photo: Toucher Arts)

The festival attracted not only the Vietnamese community but also many French families.

Marilyne and her daughter Charlie attended the festival after learning about it through the Vovinam club where Charlie trains. Marilyne said that her family wanted to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam and its cultural elements that have contributed to shaping the philosophy of the martial art her daughter enjoys practicing. The calligraphy space, together with the festival’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere, left a strong impression on the family.

For Charlie, learning about Vietnamese culture holds special significance because knowledge of Vietnamese history, martial arts philosophy, and culture forms part of the assessment criteria in her Vovinam training and competitions. The hands-on activities at the festival provided her with a more comprehensive understanding of Vietnam and its people.

As a non-profit community project, “Bonjour Vietnam” not only helps promote Vietnam’s image in France but also creates a space for interaction between generations of overseas Vietnamese and international friends. Through music, art, cuisine, and experiential activities, the festival continues to affirm the role of young overseas Vietnamese in preserving national identity and bringing Vietnamese culture closer to global audiences.

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