A wide variety of Vietnamese themed activities were held in observance of Viet Nam Day in Venice on April 23, attracting large numbers of Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) and foreign friends.
Highlights of the event were seminars on economic and investment opportunities in Viet Nam, education and training in Viet Nam, Vietnamese culture, and a dialogue on Viet Nam-Italy ties.
There were also gatherings discussing Vietnamese culinary traditions and cinematography, introducing Vietnamese movies to Italian and other international friends.
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Hoang Long expressed his desire to promote cooperation between Vietnam and Italy, as well as with the Ca' Foscari University of Venice that hosted the festivities, especially in scientific research and student exchanges.
Founded in 1868, the Ca ' Foscari University of Venice was the first business university established in Italy and the second in Europe.
Since February 2012, the university has offered a course on the Vietnamese language and culture.
Currently, there are about 500 Vietnamese students studying in Italy, and the figure is expected to rise to 1,000 in the coming years.
Viet Nam Day was jointly hosted by the Embassy of Vietnam in Italy, the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and the Viet Nam-Italy Friendship Association (VIFA).