A “Discover Vietnam” programme was launched on April 15 as part of the French Perpignan 2010 exhibition-cum-fair.

Present at the opening ceremony were the Vietnamese Ambassador in France, Le Kinh Tai, the Major of the Perpignan, Jean-Marc Pujol and large number of local people and visitors.

Ambassador Tai praised the active assistance the city has given to the Vietnamese delegation during their preparations for the event.

He said this is an excellent opportunity for Vietnam to promote it’s imagine to French friends, particularly as it is busy preparing for the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi.

Ambassdor Tai added that Perpignan has large potential for cooperation with Vietnam and could help the nation to access southern Europe and the Mediterranean regions.

For his part, the city’s Major thanked Vietnam for taking part in the event as proof of growing ties between the two countries as well as between the two cultures.

Visitors were entertained with folk songs and water puppetry show and invited to taste several of the country’s special dishes.

This is the first time that Vietnam has attended one of the most important events in France’s southern region. Last year, the week long similar event drew the participation of nearly 50,000 visitors.