Published:  00:00 Sunday - June 20, 2010

An exhibition themed “the Colour of Hanoi” opened in Paris on June 19, illustrating the classic and modern beauty of the capital city of Vietnam, which turns 1,000 years old this October

Vietnamese nationals and French people are being given the chance to see the everyday lives of Hanoians, tourist spots, such as Ho Guom (Restored Sword Lake) – the symbol of Hanoi -, as well as drastic changes the capital city has undergone over 1,000 years. They will discover a romantic but bustling Hanoi with its distinctive cultural identity and architectural styles.

The works, using different materials, such as watercolours, silk, lacquer ware and poonah paper, are being exhibited by Vietnamese painters living in France, as well as French and Brazilian painters who have travelled across Vietnam.

This is the first time the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France, in collaboration with groups of Vietnamese, French and Brazilian painters, has organised such an exhibition, which will last through to June 22.

The same day, the centre launched a campaign to vote for Ha Long Bay in the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh as one of the 7 new world wonders.