Vinh Bao, a 91-year-old professor, the last of his generation of original “don ca tai tu” (a typical traditional music performance in southern Vietnam) was recognised for his contribution to the development of cultural diversity and his commitment to the musical heritage of his country in co-operation with France.

He was also one of the founders of the Sai Gon National Music School, which was renamed the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatoire, and taught there for 10 years (1956-1966). He could teach Vietnamese traditional music to foreigners in five languages: French, British, Cambodian, Japanese and Chinese.

The French Ambassador to Vietnam also granted France’s Academic Palm to PhD. Diep Thi My Hanh, who is now a teacher at the HCM City University of Natural Science, for her contribution to the construction of the Phu An Bamboo Eco-museum and Botanic Garden in southern Binh Duong province.

This is the first museum of its kind in the South East Asian region and also the result of co-operation between the HCM City University of Natural Science, Binh Duong province and the Pilat Garden, France.