Co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Indian Embassy, the event marks the 40th anniversary of full diplomatic ties and five years of strategic partnership between the two countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Anh Tuan said that nearly 200 photos, documents and exhibits on display depict the time-honoured and cordial relations forged by President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and nurtured by generations of leaders and peoples of the two nations.

The exhibition not only provides an opportunity for Vietnamese viewers to better their understanding about the history, culture, country and people of India but also helps develop the Vietnam-India traditional friendship and multi-faceted co-operation, he stressed.

According to Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Ranjit Rae, this year, India will also organise a number of cultural events in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City to mark the 20th anniversary of India-ASEAN ties.

Seminars on Cham civilisation and Vietnam-India strategic partnership, and a painting camp for contemporary Vietnamese and Indian painters will be held in celebration of the Vietnam-India Friendship Year 2012, he said.