Co-organised by France, Canada, Romania, Switzerland, the Wallonia-Brussels region in Belgium and the International Francophone Organisation, the event includes a series of French-language film screenings, cinema training course, concerts, a quiz and a Francophone day in the Mekong Delta.

An official ceremony, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, will take place on March 19 to celebrate the 40^th International Francophone Day at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi with the participation of representatives from relevant agencies.

The ceremony will be followed by a talk by musicologist Tran Van Khe and performances of ca tru (ceremonial singing) and quan ho (love duets) which were recently recognised as world intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

The film festival, which will feature 13 movies from seven French-speaking countries will be a highlight of the event.

The French-produced Cannes 2008 winner, The Class, is scheduled to open the festival on March 12 at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street , Hanoi.

Others films to be screened include Seducing Doctor Lewis; Stuff and Dough; My Name Is Eugene; Don't Burn; Pom Pony and Colour of Coffee.

The festival will open at the French cultural centres in HCM City on March 13 and Hue on March 15. All the screenings will have Vietnamese subtitles and free entry.