A variety of cultural and sports exchange activities were held in Da Nang from March 20 - 24 to celebrate International Francophone Day 2024.

The organising board giving souvenir flags to participating teams. Photo: X.H

These events were co-organised by the municipal Union of Friendship Organisations, the city branch of the Viet Nam - France Friendship Association, the University of Foreign Language Studies under the University of Da Nang, the French Institute in Da Nang, and a number of related units.

Notable among them were a literary exchange between Bernard Werber, a French science fiction writer, and local readers at the University of Foreign Language Studies on March 20, and the photo contest entitled "Sports beauty in everyday life" via the internet from March 11 - 20.

In particular, on March 24, the Francophone Sports Festival was opened at the Son Tra District-based Cultural and Sports Centre with the competitions of football, basketball, and athletics.

Local pupils and students enthusiastically competing in basketball. Photo: X.H

The festival attracted 318 athletes from 12 units including universities, junior and senior high schools, and primary schools that teach French, and the French Institute in the city.

The festival was in response to the International Francophonie Day (March 20) and some important events hosted by France in 2024 such as the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, and the 19^th Francophonie summit.

In recent years, Francophone cultural exchange festival has been maintained and organised annually in the city. This provides a good opportunity for local students and the French community living and working in Da Nang to have cultural exchange activities.

Reporting by XUAN HAU - Translating by M.DUNG