The Vietnamese Embassy in France held a get-together in Paris on February 19, the first day of the Year of the Goat, to welcome the traditional lunar New Year (Tet).
Vice Mayor of Paris Bruno Julliard extended his New Year greetings to the Vietnamese people in France, who, he said, have made active contributions to the city’s multi-cultural development.
Art performance celebrate Tet in Paris (Photo: VNA)
He underlined the need to strengthen bonds and exchanges among ethnic communities for peace and development, especially after the brutal terrorism attacks in the city in January.
Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Ngoc Son, in turn, expressed his pleasure to observe Tet in France at a time when the relationship between the two countries is prospering in all fields, driven by the 2014 Vietnam Year in France .
The diplomat spoke highly of the Vietnamese community’s contributions to the success of the Vietnam Year in France and wished the Vietnamese expatriates to further deepen the two countries’ relations.
Earlier on February 16, the Ambassador and representatives from several Vietnamese organisations in France were invited to a meeting at the Elysee hosted by President Francois Hollande on the occasion of the lunar New Year observed by many Asian countries.
The French President extended his New Year greetings to the Asian community in France and highlighted the time-honoured close ties between France and Asian countries.
Regarding Vietnam , the President noted that many activities were held last year to mark 40 years of France-Vietnam diplomatic ties. He added that he plans to visit Vietnam within 2015.
Overseas Vietnamese in other countries also celebrated the lunar New Year in the tradition way.
In the UK , crowds of Vietnamese flocked to Linh Son pagoda in London to pray for health and peace.
On February 19, Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns in India and the Vietnamese Embassy in India held a ceremony at the Ladakh – BudVihar pagoda in New Delhi to pray for peace, health and prosperity.
VNA
