The event drew the participation of some well-known Cải lương artists such as People's Artist Ngoc Giau from Vietnam and Huong Thanh, who is also an overseas Vietnamese living in France.

Director of the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France, Le Hong Chuong, thanked the artists for bringing Vietnamese Renovated Theatre to French audiences.

Cải lương first appeared in the early 20th century in the Mekong River Delta. In only a short time it has progessed to become a recognised traditional art form in Vietnamese theatre.

The Director of the Guimet Museum of Asian Arts, Hubert Laot, said Cải lương is an interesting form that originated in Vietnam's communes, reflecting the country's historical civilization over the centuries and therefore, it should be preserved, maintained and presented to the public.

Artists Ngoc Giau and Huong Thanh performed excerpts from some famous Cải lương works.

The artists left a good impression on the French people and other international friends who are genuinely interested in learning about Asia, particularly Vietnam.

Later on the same day, the Cải lương artists performed at the Victor Hugo Theatre in Bangeux, on the outskirts of Paris.

They will perform again in Choisy-Le-Roi on March 19-26 as part of week-long celebrations to commemorate 40 years of the Paris Peace Accords to restore peace in Vietnam.