Can Van Kiet, who is also Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in France, tells a VOV correspondent in Paris about his family’s efforts to preserve and develop this house over 30 years.

Could you brief us on the house’s recent operations?

Vietnam House, which came into being in 1981, has three main activities. First, we hold exhibitions of pictures and photos every two months. Second, we promote and sell books, mostly imported from Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City, some bought in France. All the books are about Vietnam and are in Vietnamese or French. Third, the house displays and sells fine art and handicrafts, which were purchased from Vietnamese businesses that have held exhibitions in France.

In addition, every week we receive newspapers delivered from Ho Chi Minh City such as Tuoi Tre (Youth), Thanh Nien (Young People), Lao dong (Labour), and Phu nu (Women).

We also hold Vietnamese-language courses for both Vietnamese and French children and adults. In these classes, the learners are introduced to Vietnam’s land, people, cultural values and beauty spots.

Vietnam House also helps to translate films and offers tour guides for visiting delegations.

What does Vietnam House hope to achieve?

The house’s main operations are focused on disseminating Vietnamese culture in France. Many travel agencies have maintained contact with the house to access information about the country before they organize tours for French visitors.

Do you have any trouble?

In the early 1980s, we met with numerous difficulties before establishing Vietnam House in Cardinal Lemoine. In 1998, we had to move to another place in District 5, Paris. Our most earnest desire is to keep the house running well to promote Vietnamese culture to our French friends and the Vietnamese community in France.

What do you think about the renovation process in Vietnam?

Vietnamese expatriates must clearly see and be proud of the country’s development. I myself feel glad that the Vietnamese state has paid an increasing amount attention to Vietnamese living abroad and has made a great effort to create the best possible conditions for them to return. Many Vietnamese expatriates, especially the young ones, wish to contribute their knowledge and abilities to their homeland. I have three children and really want them to do the same./.