The "Un Mois En France” (One Month in France) programme will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from November 1 to December 12.

Illustrative photo (Source:
VNA)
French Ambassador to
Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary revealed the schedule at a press conference on the
event held in Hanoi on October 25.
The diplomat said France is an honourable guest at the Vietnam Foodexpo 2017,
where French firms will showcase the country’s strong food sectors and discuss
food safety with their Vietnamese peers from November 15-18.
He said food is a major export sector of France with average annual export
revenue of over 9 billion EUR.
The "Un Mois En France” would contribute to trade between France and Vietnam as
the Vietnam – EU free trade agreement is going to take effect.
Aside the expo, the programme also features a series of culinary events and
trade promotions, with French products displayed at 39 supermarkets in Hanoi
and Ho Chi Minh City, including Big C, Auchan, Aeon, Metro, Annam Gourmet,
Giant, Satra and Aeon Fivimart.
Booths will be set up at the supermarkets to introduce to customers products
made from France as well as to demonstrate French cooking and food
tastings.
"Balade en France", the annual French food and wine festival, will be
held from November 10-12 at Hotel Equatorial in HCM City’s District 5.
The eight edition of the event will feature traditional French dishes, desserts
and wine as well as music shows by French singers, musicians and dancers.
Forty booths of 20 businesses will serve dishes and sell French products at the
three-night event. The event will welcome 3,000 visitors.
Beaujolais Nouveau, one of France’s most favourable festivals, will be held at
the French Consul General Residence on November 16 and the garden of French
Embassy in Hanoi on November 18.
Eight French fine-dining restaurants will serve Beaujolais Nouveau red wine and
French dishes.
Source: VNA
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.