The gala, organised by the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in France, the Vietnam Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee, was part of oversea activities to celebrate the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi next month.

It was also held at a time when the Thang Long Royal Citadel has been recognised by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site of the world.

Addressing the function, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai spoke highly of the initiative to organise the event and stressed traditional cooperation in many areas, particularly in culture and arts, between Vietnam and France .

The selection of the UNESCO headquarters in Paris as a venue for the gala shows Vietnam’s gratitude to French leaders and UNESCO for practical assistance to Hanoi ’s millennium celebrations, he said.

The gala night featured performances by Vietnamese singers and an art troupe from the Thang Long Song and Dance Theatre.