The friendly marathon drew nearly 2,000 athletes, including amateur runners from 10 foreign countries who are living and working in Vietnam.

A two-week exhibition showcasing photos by French photographer Nicolas Cornet also opened on the same day as part of the week, offering an insight into the daily life in Vietnam over the past 20 years.

The highlights of the week will also include a multi-sector exhibition at the Phu Tho exhibition hall, featuring handicraft, education and businesses in France and its region as well as the European country’s consumer products, farm produce and food, cosmetics – health and fashion.

Five forums on education, Francophone, healthcare, farm produce and energy will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition.

Various cultural activities will also be held during the week, including a dancing performance by Dominique Boivin in Ben Thanh Theatre on April 7, a fashion show at the White Palace on April 9, a Montmartre Night Festival at the French Consulate General on April 11 and a friendly football match for ex-footballers of the two countries.

The week-long event is co-organised by the French Embassy, the Vietnam-based French Chamber of Commerce, the French Consulate General in HCM City, the Ubifrance Association, the Hanoi-based French Speaking Association and other French economic agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.