Int’l Francophone Day marked in Hanoi

A ceremony was held at Van Mieu (the Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on March 19 to mark International Francophone Day (March 20).
Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem expressed his pleasure at the constant development of the International Francophone Organisation (OIF) over the past 40 years with its steadily rising membership, now totalling 70 countries.
He also praised the OIF’s activities in politics, economics, culture and education, and its increasing role in addressing global issues concerning peace, security, sustainable development and cultural diversity.
Vietnam always attaches great importance to relations with the OIF and has made active contributions to the development of the organisation, said Mr Ninh.
He stressed that with its Renewal achievements over the past 20 years, Vietnam is ready to share experiences in national development with other member countries, especially in the fields of its strengths like food security.
Patrice Burel, Director of the Regional Bureau of Asia Pacific (BRAP) in Hanoi, under the OIF, praised close cooperation between the organisation and Vietnam, one of its first members, and affirmed that the OIF will continue to support the teaching of the French language in Vietnam.
On this occasion, Phan Thanh Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City National University was presented with an insignia for his contributions to French teaching by the community of Embassies and delegation of Francophone countries and the OIF in Hanoi.