The programme entitled “Italy – Vietnam, culture and business” includes a series of cultural events, highlighting similarities and differences between the two cultures.

It starts with a contest entitled “Il Sono Bellissima” which features the role of women as wives, mothers and grandmothers in both Italy and Vietnam.

Contestants can send their entries in the form of a written essay of a maximum 1,000 words, or a series of photos on women.

Alessandra Chicorista, a member of the jury board and a lecturer of the Italian language at the Vietnam National University, expressed her admiration for Vietnamese women.

“Vietnamese women look fragile but have extraordinary fighting spirit, both during war and peace time. However, they have to suffer from prejudice in society. The contest aims to help women find ways to affirm themselves”, she said.

Entries should be sent to the Italian embassy in Vietnam or the email address yviet2012@gmail.com. The deadline for submission will be August 20, 2012.

The results of the contest will be announced in the website of the Italian embassy.