Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh was speaking during her reception for Laurent Brunner, director of the Royal Opera of Versailles, in Hanoi on April 24.

Thanh highlighted the importance Vietnam places on cultural cooperation with France, noting the positive outcomes of collaboration between the Royal Opera of Versailles and Ho Guom Theatre in bringing high-quality performances to Vietnamese audiences.

Such cooperation, she said, has not only enriched cultural life but also created valuable opportunities for artists from both countries to exchange experience and enhance professional capacity.

To further advance cooperation, the minister called for closer coordination between relevant Vietnamese agencies and the Royal Opera of Versailles in developing concrete plans and joint activities. She assigned the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National Academy of Music to work with the French partner on specific collaboration programmes.

Expressing interest in the theatre’s international training model, particularly its cooperation with China in nurturing young talent, the minister voiced hope for similar initiatives between the Royal Opera of Versailles and Vietnam’s music academy to support training and capacity-building for artists and students.

For his part, Brunner highlighted Versailles as not only a renowned cultural and artistic hub but also a major tourist destination attracting around six million visitors annually. He noted that both Vietnam and France are prominent tourism destinations in Asia and Europe, with culture playing a key role in driving tourism development.

Brunner expressed his desire to expand cooperation beyond Ho Guom Opera Theatre to other venues in Hanoi and across Vietnam, bringing more high-quality performances to local audiences and international visitors.

Referring to the upcoming performances by the Royal Opera of Versailles at Ho Guom Theatre, he said the programme features experienced French artists, offering an opportunity for Vietnamese performers to engage, learn, and enhance their expertise.

He also proposed strengthening cooperation with the Vietnam National Academy of Music, with a view to organising more joint performances and art exchanges in the future.

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