The two sides’ authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 13 to co-host the event as part of the ongoing visit to the RoK by Secretary of HCM City’s Party Committee Dinh La Thang.

At a meeting with Mayor of Gyeongsangbuk-do province Kim Kwan Yong, Thang said HCM City is honoured to host the festival, which illustrates the city’s significant role in ties between Viet Nam and the RoK.

The signing of the MoU will set a foundation for the two localities to plan to ensure the success of the event, he added.

Mayor Kim Kwan Yong said the co-hosting of the festival demonstrates diversity in collaboration between Vietnamese and Korean localities, bringing the two countries’ peoples closer and creating a firm foundation for the strategic cooperative partnership.

Gyeongsangbuk-do is now home to about 10,000 Vietnamese brides, he said, adding that he hopes the festival will help promote the culture of the respective societies.

The Vietnamese official said HCM City wants to enhance cultural exchanges with the Korean province and seek opportunities to develop the local economy.

He proposed the Mayor encourage Gyeongsangbuk-do businesses to invest in key infrastructure development projects in HCM City, flooding reduction, environmental protection, and urban development.

The world cultural festival is scheduled to take place in HCM City across 25 days in November 2017 with a view to increasing bilateral cultural exchanges.

It will include art performances, exhibitions, movies shows, and trade promotion activities.

Gyeongsangbuk-do is home to many destinations recognised by UNESCO as world cultural heritage.