PARIS – Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Chairman of the Việt Nam Olympic Committee Nguyễn Văn Hùng conferred the insignia “For the cause of culture, sports and tourism” on Vietnamese Ambassador to France Đinh Toàn Thắng at the Việt Nam Cultural Centre in Paris on July 25.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Đinh Toàn Thắng (L) at the awarding ceremony. -- VNA/VNS Photo

The distinction recognised Thắng’s substantial contributions to fostering Việt Nam-France multifaceted cooperation and the cause of Việt Nam’s culture, sport and tourism development during his over three years in office, Hùng said.

Thắng said the insignia is not only a personal honour but also a testament to the collective efforts of the embassy staff and other Vietnamese diplomatic missions in promoting Vietnamese culture, sports and tourism to the French and European public.

In a notable moment, Hung presented a decision reappointing Anoa Suzzanne Dussol Perran, a French national, as Việt Nam's Tourism Ambassador to France for the 2024-2029 tenure.

He wished that Anoa Perran would continue supporting the ministry in the new term, building on the successes in tourism development between the two countries and between Việt Nam and Europe, helping to realise Việt Nam’s goal of attracting 18 million visitors this year.

In the afternoon, Hùng presented the books “Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path to socialism in Việt Nam”, and “Building and developing advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity” by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng to the centre.

Another book "A Thousand Years of Việt Nam's National Civilisation", a concise and comprehensive overview of the nation's cultural heritage and treasures throughout various historical periods, was also handed over to the centre.

Hùng hoped that through these books, the centre will introduce Việt Nam’s invaluable heritage to international friends, which is also the most vivid expression to remember the beloved Party General Secretary. — VNA/VNS