Festival-goers seen at Balade en France 2018 in Hà Nội. A similar event will take place in the city from Friday. Photo courtesy of French Embassy

HÀ NỘI Hà Nội residents and tourists are invited to take part in a festival dedicated to French in the city from Friday.

It’s the second time Balade en France (Walk in France) has been organised in the capital by the French Embassy in collaboration with event management company Opal, aiming to honour French cuisine and culture.

Speaking at a press conference in Hà Nội yesterday, French Ambassador to Việt Nam Nicolas Warnery said the organisers expect to create a typical French atmosphere for the festival.

“Both French and Vietnamese people share a common love of good food.

“During the event, festival-goers can sample several products of France, from baguettes to crepes, and fruit to wine, all at reasonable prices. Some of the best French restaurants in Hà Nội will take part in the festival to offer visitors savoury dishes,” Warnery said.

Thirty booths will be set up at Lý Thái Tổ Square by Hoàn Kiếm Lake to offer visitors a special experience of French cuisine.

Visitors can also enjoy a replica of the iconic Eiffel Tower or take selfies to a backdrop of Le Pont des Arts – a pedestrian bridge crosses the River Seine in Paris, which has been dubbed “The Bridge of Romance”.

“With everything we have been preparing so far, we hope all visitors of different ages will enjoy the event,” said the ambassador.    

Opal representative Diame Cascarino said the organisers this year had also been paying attention to environmental issues.

“We call on everyone to join hands for environmental protection by reducing their waste. To be strict, recycling bins will also be placed around the venue,” she said.    

Festival-goers seen at a photo exhibition, which was part of Balade en France 2018 in Hà Nội. A similar event will take place in the city from Friday, January 10. Photo courtesy of French Embassy

Alongside gastronomy, Balade en France will feature a daily art repertoire featuring both Vietnamese and French artists.

Diva Mỹ Linh will headline the programme with a performance on the opening night. The lineup also includes singer Kenjah David, French DJ Ouissam Mokretar, and Vietnamese bands The Link, Flatlands, Funkey Smoke and Max Band.    

Visitors will also have the chance to learn about major co-operation projects between France and Việt Nam, including Metro line 3, the air quality monitoring system Hà Nội, and food supplies through a system of wholesale markets.  

Balade en France will open to the public from 6pm on Friday and run until 6pm on Sunday. Last time, about 100,000 people visited the event. VNS