Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) Ambassador Bruno Angelet made the remark at a press conference held in Ha Noi on May 4.

The annual event is showcasing a range of intellectual and cultural activities, offering a fascinating journey through the richness of European cultures and multi-faceted cooperation between the EU and Viet Nam.

Ambassador Bruno Angelet said, "On the May 9, we will celebrate Europe Day. We are truly delighted to witness the growing public attention in Viet Nam for the Europe Days program. Offering a wide range of events, we hope that Europe Days 2017 will continue to attract many people across the spectrum of Vietnamese society".

The "Berlin through the eyes of American photographer Jamie Maxtone-Graham" exhibition opened the programme at Goethe-Institute Ha Noi on May 4. Jamie Maxtone-Graham is an American cinematographer and photographer with over 20 years of experience as a commercial Director of Photography in New York and Hollywood. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the region and in Europe and has been published online and in several critically acclaimed journals and award-winning photography websites. The exhibition presents his observations of everyday life in Berlin.

From May 6 to 16, the diversity of European cultural traditions will be explored at the European Literature event in Ha Noi and for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City. At the events, Vietnamese readers will have the chance to enjoy new books from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the UK and Wallonie-Bruxelles (Belgium). In addition to the presentation of the books, there will be other opportunities for readers to meet authors, listen to talks and readings, or register for workshops on creative writing.

For music lovers, the programme will offer a chance to enjoy the performance of the talented French - Haitian pianist Celimene Daudet on May 11 in Ha Noi and the Belgian hip-hop group Les R’tardataires in Ho Chi Minh City on May 12 and Da Nang on May 14.

Under the framework of the programme, the annual European Film Festival promises to delight Vietnamese spectators with 15 inspiring films, presenting a journey through "tolerance" and "respect". It is an odyssey, reflecting the dreams, passion, fears and frustrations, fun and joys, mistakes and recognitions – of every European. The festival will start in Ho Chi Minh City on May 13, Hue on May 14 and Hanoi on May 15.

For those who have a strong interest in drama, two theatre plays "Blue Bird" and "Roméo & Juliette Cinema Theater", organised by the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation and the French Institute respectively, will be a unique entertaining experience.

There is no better way to improve understanding between Europeans and Vietnamese than through people to people exchanges, in particular involving the younger generations, two education - related conferences "Conference on Smart Sustainable Cities in Viet Nam" and "Erasmus+ Regional Seminar for Asia - Academic cooperation and mobility" will further increase and promote stronger cooperation, exchanges, and partnerships in education between European countries and Asian countries, as well as between the Asian countries.

In addition, a special essay writing contest, aimed at helping Viet Nam’s younger generations to express their perception and opinions on European cultural diversity, technology and innovation achievements in Europe and European integration, will be launched in May. The contest will award three prizes of three return trips to Rome, Paris and Brussels, including five nights’ accommodation in each city.

Other activities, including a German Film Festival for young people, a British film scoring workshop, a European Business event, trade and Investment related seminars and a seminar on climate change will also be organised during the programme.