Francophones: Visitors look at French books during an exhibition at the National Library of Viet Nam. — Photo www.nlv.gov.vn

HA NOI (VNS)— The Viet Nam National Library received more than 2,000 books from the French National Book Centre, the National Library of France and the French Embassy in Viet Nam on Monday.

Published by France's most prestigious publishing houses, the works cover diverse fields, from history to literature and poetry to philosophy and law.

Phan Thi Kim Dung, the library's director, said that the books would be precious resources for both Vietnamese and foreign researchers focusing on French society and culture.

Up to 500 of the books will be on display at the library (located at 31 Trang Thi Street) until Sunday.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to see French books translated into Vietnamese as well as those written in Vietnamese about France. A highlight of the show is a collection of books dating back to the 19th century that explain the history, geography and culture of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia – the three countries that made up what was called Indochina. "This is an excellent occasion for those who love France and Francophone countries to understand and explore their diverse aspects of traditional and contemporary life and society.

The event will also promote the exchange of friendship between the people of Viet Nam and France and other Francophone countries," said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai.

According to First Counsellor of the French Embassy in Viet Nam Etienne de Gonneville, the book exhibition is an important event marking the opening of the France-Viet Nam year of friendship, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The launch of the France-Viet Nam year was held last night at the French Embassy in Ha Noi in the presence of French Minister of Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq and Viet Nam's Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh. — VNS