HCM CITY (VNS) — The third edition of Balade en France, an event promoting French gastronomy and wines, will be a more festive occasion, organisers said at a press briefing on Wednesday

The two-day (October 26-27) event will have several entertainment activities, said Guillaume Crouzet, general manager of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Viet Nam.

He said guests could enjoy French delicacies in a lively atmosphere of fashion shows, live concerts, dance shows, and DJ performances.

Animonsterz – a street dance show by Asia Street will open the event. French Cancan performed by the Urban Dance Group from Dancenter, live concerts by Vietnamese Mat Troi Do (The Red Sun) band, and songs by Cao Dac Minh will be part of the entertainment on offer.

The Sophie Paris brand will present their latest fashion collection at the event.

At 9pm, the dance floor will open with DJ Peanut at the helm.

Many lucky draw prizes, including roundtrip air tickets to Paris will be awarded each night.

Thanks to the participation of Poussiere de Vie, an association helping poor children in Viet Nam, children can have a fun time as well.

A small exhibition of Renault, the famous French vehicle manufacturer, will also be part of the event.

Guillaume said that over the last two years, the event had welcomed 1,700 guests, 80 per cent of whom were Vietnamese citizens.

Around 2,000 guests are expected to attend this year, he said.

Restaurant and wine merchants participating in the event will help guests discover and taste various traditional French dishes, including pan-fried foie gras, ratatouille nicoise, cold cuts, and crepes.

Wine from the most renowned French regions – Bordeaux, Rhone, Southwest, Languedoc, Loire and Provence – will be featured at the event.

Balade en Frace 2012 is organised by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Viet Nam (CCIFV) and Hotel Equatorial in co-operation with Sopexa and the French Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.

It is supported by the French Consulate in HCM City, Group Bel, Renault, and Air France.

The event is the annual rendezvous for all Francophiles to discover more about French cuisine and wines, said consul general Fabrice Mauries.

Tickets to the event, held at the Equatorial Hotel in District 5, consist of eight coupons for traditional French dishes and six coupons for wine. They are being sold for VND550,000 each at the CCIFV, Hotel Equatorial, Exotissimo agency, and at several stores and restaurants including Vatel, Annam Gourmet, Veggy's, La Creperie, Fanny, Daloc, Red Apron, Tan Khoa, Phu&Em and The Warehouse.

The on site price is VND650,000 per ticket for adults.

Tickets for children under 14 cost VND200,000, and is free for children under five. — VNS