HCM CITY – The annual Namaste Việt Nam (Hello Việt Nam) Festival will be back from August 25 in three southern cities to consolidate the bilateral relationship between India and Việt Nam, promote cultural exchange, and foster multifaceted growth, the organiser told a press conference yesterday.

It is scheduled to run in HCM City from August 25-27 and from August 27-30 in Đà Lạt City of Lâm Đồng Province and Nha Trang City of Khánh Hòa Province.

The event offers exciting festivities introducing the rich heritage and vibrant culture of both countries, as well as providing development opportunities for businesses.

It will introduce the first-ever co-production between the two countries, “Love in Việt Nam” to promote Vietnamese tourism and heritage. It is expected to be broadcast in the two countries next year.

There will also be five meetings for experts and businesses of both countries to discuss strategies in developing tourism, business, education, railway transportation, and the film industry.

“Several investment projects will be introduced in the meetings,” Consul General of India Madan Mohan Sethi told Việt Nam News. 

Around 20 Vietnamese and Indian artists, experts, and filmmakers, 40 Indian travel companies, 34 Indian universities, and 30 Indian businesses will join the event. 

Madan Mohan Sethi said Việt Nam welcomed 500,000 Indian tourists last year, which is five times more than in 2019.

“Such an impressive number is thanks to the increasing number of direct flights and joint efforts in promoting intercultural exchange and tourism,” Sethi said.

The consul general hoped that the event would also be a channel connecting businesses of both countries, thereby facilitating investment and increasing trade and economic growth.

The opening ceremony will be held at 5:30 pm on August 25 at HCM City’s Rex Hotel Saigon. 

Visitors can join by filling out a form on the fan page of India in Vietnam (Consulate General of India in HCM City) or on the website of the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO).

Namaste Việt Nam Festival, organised by the Consulate General of India in HCM City and HUFO, is an effort to strengthen the bond between the two countries.

Last year, the event attracted over 2,000 visitors, and it hopes to attract more young people this time around. – VNS