(VOVworld)- The first events of Europe Days 2016 are underway in Hanoi. The month-long program of culture, arts, sports, science and technology activities brings Vietnamese audiences closer to European people, culture and lifestyles.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Foreign Ministry officials and ambassadors at a ceremony to mark Europe Days in Vietnam (Photo: VGP)

The program, jointly organized by the Delegation of the European Union (EU), the Embassies of EU members and several European cultural institutes, takes place in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. A concert called "Europe Meets Asia in Jazz" was performed at Hanoi’s Opera House on Monday and Tuesday and will move to Ho Chi Minh city’s Opera House on Wednesday. Internationally renowned German jazz singer Michael Schiefel is performing with Vietnamese and European artists in Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh City audiences will be treated to Mozart’s the Magic Flute, staged in the original German for the first time in Vietnam.

The annual European Film Festival is being held from Friday to Sunday in Hanoi, from Saturday to Monday in Danang and from next Wednesday to Friday in Ho Chi Minh City. 13 films will be screened, including dramas, comedies and thrillers. Europe Days 2016 will also include a seminar on Vietnam-EU cooperation where participants will share their experience in dealing with common challenges in green growth and sustainable development. There will also be the ASEAN-EU Science, Technology and Innovation Days. The European Food Festival on Saturday will introduce unique delicacies and flavors. Mr. Bruno Angelet, Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam, told VOV what makes Europe Days diverse: “First of all, the European Union has 28 member states, of which 18 are present in Vietnam. The 18 member states have actively contributed to the program. So we will have, first, 13 different films from 13 countries. There will also include music from different countries. Just heard and played for the first time together. They don’t know each other but it was the first time they played together. In the food festival, you will have contributions by the different embassies and the Chamber of Commerce. So you will have diversity here. Food is from all different countries in Europe. The whole program is really built to be very inclusive and diverse”.

Since its first program in Vietnam 12 years ago, the annual Europe Days festival has become increasingly popular among Vietnamese.