A performance at the Viet Pride 2014. — Photo ovguide.com

HA NOI — The fourth Viet Pride for the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender (LGBT) community in Ha Noi will be held from July 30 to August 2.

The opening ceremony, to be held on July 31 from 6pm to 10pm at Ha Noi Goethe Institute, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, will comprise discussions, lectures and film screenings.

Started in 2014, the Viet Pride scholarship has entered its second round to help disadvantaged LGBT youth get vocational education or bachelor's degrees.

Last year's awardees, Vivian Tran and Nguyen Minh Tri, will join the five awardees of 2015 — Tran Quang Huy, Le Quang Thanh Phuc, Do Phuong Linh, and Tu Thanh Thuy, as well as Huynh Cong Minh — on stage at the Viet Pride 2015 opening ceremony on Friday.

Viet Pride 2015 will expand its activities this year and will include the participation of Parents, Friends of Lesbian and Gay (PFLAG) and businesses.

"A campaign entitled Equal Office, initiated by PricewaterhouseCoopers, will raise awareness about sexual diversity and promote LGBT-friendly workplaces," Tam Nguyen, from the Viet Pride, said.

The campaign brings LGBT knowledge, visibility and educational material to the workplace, targeting office workers and employers across Viet Nam. It is building its groundwork and will kick-start with two dialogues between campaign organisers and businesses in Ha Noi and HCM City, supported by the Dutch Embassy, the American Consulate, the US Embassy and PricewaterhouseCoopers Vietnam.

PFLAG will appear at Viet Pride to share coming-out experiences in the parent-child relationship, as well as other contexts where coming-out happens for both LGBT children and parents of LGBT people.

The talk will be preceded by a 30-minute documentary entitled A Family Affair by Human Rights in Pictures from the Netherlands on Saturday at 2pm.

Another film screenings will be also held during the opening ceremony on Friday at 8.45pm and on Saturday at 10am and 6pm.

The Viet Pride bicycle rally will take place on the last day on Sunday, from Giang Vo Lake to the American Club, where people will gather for live music, free drinks and closing remarks.

Participants will show their desire for recognition and equal rights for same-sex partnerships in a colourful and joyful way.

Bisexual transgender singer Huong Giang will make a special appearance at the event.

The Viet Pride has been held annually since 2012, getting strong support from the Goethe Institute and many other organisations such as Civil Rights Defenders, Save The Children and Queer Disco.

"Viet Pride is held to honour the LGBT community in Viet Nam. I think it is very meaningful," 26-year old Pham Dinh Minh said. He is a freelance translator and has been participating in Viet Pride since 2013. — VNS