Consul General of India Madan Mohan Sethi at the press conference announcement of the Namaste Việt Nam festival launch. – VNS Photo Gia Linh

HCM CITY — Namaste Việt Nam Festival 2023 (Hello Việt Nam Festival) will be hosted for the second time in three southern cities from August 12.

The event will take place in three different areas: HCM City (from August 12 to 15), Đà Lạt City in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng (August 16), and Tuy Hòa City in the south-central coastal province of Phú Yên.

It aims to promote cultural exchange, business relationships, tourism, and strengthen the bond between Việt Nam and India.

Consul General of India Madan Mohan Sethi said the festival is expected to have a positive impact on many expects in the relationship of Việt Nam and India such as cooperation in the filming industry to set up a Bollywood film studio in Đà Lạt and Nha Trang, and tourism promotion as well as connect Việt Nam and India via many forms of art.

Vice President of HCM City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) Hồ Xuân Lâm said the Namaste Vietnam Festival is held in the context of celebrating the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and India and the 76th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of India, August 15, 1947 - August 15, 2023.

In addition, the event also emphasises the friendly relationship between the two cinemas of the two countries, thereby creating unique cultural and artistic exchange activities to serve the people of the two countries, he added.

The festival in HCM City showcases many activities, including the Việt Nam - India movie festival, which highlights six outstanding Indian movies, a conference about tourism promotion, a seminar on railway development, and a workshop on Việt Nam-Indian cooperation in the film industry.

It is organised by the Consulate General of India with the support of HUFO and the VIệt Nam - India Friendship Association (VIFA). — VNS