BOLOGNA (VNS) — A Vietnamese culture exhibition opened on May 3 in Bologna, a city in the northern Emilia-Romagna region of Italy – officially launching Viet Nam Days celebrations in the region.

The exhibition showcases photographs, documents, books and newspapers as well as traditional instruments and paintings to introduce the land and people of Viet Nam to citizens of Italy.

Nguyen Hoang Long, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy, said the event would coincide with a photo exhibition on Viet Nam-Italy Solidarity during the 1960-70 period, a display of Vietnamese newspapers and books and an economic workshop called Viet Nam – The Destination.

Bologna Deputy Mayor Silvia Giannini said she hoped that the culture of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany would be showcased in Viet Nam in October, introducing the culture, cuisine, industrial and agricultural products and handicrafts of the two regions to Vietnamese people.

She also said she hoped to strengthen economic co-operation between Viet Nam's enterprises and those in Emilia-Romagna, particularly in manufacturing and engineering.

Viet Nam Days in Emilia-Romagna is part of the Viet Nam Year in Italy, which marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The programme includes various activities to be held throughout the year in major Italian cities – Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna and Venice.-VNS