Now an annual event for five years, the "Vietnamese Cultural Day" was organized by the France-Vietnam Friendship Association in Eure-et-Loir on October 12 in the village of Voves, located over 100 kilometers south of Paris. The event attracted a large number of local residents.

Literary works and publications about Agent Orange and Vietnam's islands are displayed alongside literary pieces by local authors.

At the community center in Voves, the atmosphere was livelier than usual on the morning of Saturday, October 12. Wooden puppets, paintings depicting rural Vietnam, paper fans, souvenirs, and traditional ao dai attracted many visitors to the exhibition and sale of ethnic handicrafts aimed at raising funds for charity to assist victims of Agent Orange and those in difficult circumstances in Vietnam. In another corner, literary works and publications discussing Agent Orange and Vietnam's islands were displayed alongside local authors' literature. At the photo exhibition, both indoors and outdoors, several local residents were engrossed in viewing images capturing the landscapes and people of Vietnam, taken by French photographer Gerard Memmi and others. This was just one aspect of the many activities occurring during the "Vietnam Cultural Day" in Eure-et-Loir, which has been held annually for five years to commemorate the founding of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association in the province.

Admiring the distinctly Vietnamese items, Franck Rossignol from Chartres expressed his excitement about the Vietnamese Day in Voves, noting he arrived early. He shared, “I have a deep love for Asia because every country there, like Vietnam and China, has rich and renowned cultures, though sadly many here are not familiar with them. I am a member of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association in Eure-et-Loir, but I have never visited Vietnam. However, I learn about your country through online materials, and I truly enjoy your cuisine—it is delicate, refined, and delicious. Like other countries in the region, Vietnam has a very rich indigenous culture with so much to explore.”

Anne Teneze, a volunteer vendor, mentioned that some products for sale were gifts from the Vietnamese community in France (UGVF), while others were sourced from a Vietnamese dealer in Paris. All proceeds from the sale of these souvenirs would go toward charitable efforts, including supporting the legal battle of Tran To Nga and assisting victims of Agent Orange, as well as helping those in difficult situations in Vietnam. Gilbert Teneze, President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association in Eure-et-Loir, explained that the event, initially focused on supporting Tran To Nga and Agent Orange victims, quickly evolved into "Vietnam Cultural Day," held annually to promote Vietnam’s history, culture, land, and people.

He expressed, “This year, our theme is ‘struggle.’ It represents the fight of Vietnamese fishermen between land and sea to protect territorial sovereignty in the East Sea, as well as the struggle of the Vietnamese people in their development and integration while preserving traditional beauty. All of this is depicted through the exhibition of photo collections. There is also the fight against environmental pollution of land and water, a struggle occurring not only in your country but also here, where we are considered a major agricultural zone in France. While Vietnam faces the consequences of Agent Orange, we combat the use of harmful pesticides in our environment. That is why we support Tran To Nga in her legal battle against chemical companies that supplied Agent Orange to the US military during the Vietnam War. Additionally, we strive to preserve and promote your cultural and artistic heritage, with the participation of the Homeland Choir. Understand that in any field or battle, we always stand by you in every struggle.”

Art performance at the event. 

Present at the event, Tran To Nga expressed her desire to share her legal battle against the chemical companies that have caused pollution in Vietnam, including the verdict from the Paris court and her determination alongside her supporters. She noted that the movement supporting her case and the victims of Agent Orange has gained momentum, not just in France but around the world. With a spirit of “patience, courage, hope, and determination,” she and her supporters are committed to persevering, even with a 1% chance of success, and that the support from the Vietnamese government, people, and the international community will motivate them in this struggle.

Also embodying the spirit of “struggle” to preserve and promote Vietnamese music to their French friends, the Homeland Choir, consisting of 30 members, performed traditional folk songs and revolutionary anthems for the audience in Eure-et-Loir. Nguyen Thi Ngan Ha, the choir's founder, noted that local residents particularly enjoyed Vietnam's revolutionary songs. This year’s Vietnamese Day in Voves also commemorated Jean Moulin, a French revolutionary fighter and former governor of Eure-et-Loir, reminding attendees of Vietnam’s struggle for national independence. As a result, she selected songs like “The Road We Walk,” “Land of Love,” “Song from the City Named After Him,” “The People of Hanoi,” and some French songs, concluding with “We Are the World” to present to the audience.

Overall, the Vietnam Cultural Day in Eure-et-Loir not only served as an opportunity to introduce Vietnam's culture and people to the local community but also as a moment for French friends to express their love and support for the Vietnamese people, particularly for victims of Agent Orange and those facing hardships in distant Vietnam.

Ngoc Mai

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