The head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation from Belgium to Vietnam, Franck Pezza, has been awarded the insignia ‘For the cause of Culture, Sports and Tourism’.

On addressing the presentation ceremony in Hanoi on July 3, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Huynh Vinh Ai, thanked Pezza for his contributions to culture, sports and tourism co-operation and development which have contributed to the friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Belgian region.

The deputy minister said that during his term of office, Pezza has put forward numerous initiatives concerning arts, including film, music, stage and street art festivals in Vietnam.

He said he hopes that Pezza will continue to support Vietnam in this field after concluding his term of office in Vietnam.

Pezza thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for the honour and staff in Vietnam’s culture, sports and tourism sector for their kind regards.

Since he took office in September 2008, Pezza has closely monitored culture and tourism projects during the 2007-09 period and played a major role in initiating many joint co-operation projects from 2010 to 2012.

Apart from founding international documentary film festival, he also helped to organise the comic book festival, ballroom dancing week, European literature week and European language week in Vietnam.

He was responsible for the setting up of the European Union National Institutes for Culture in Hanoi and served as president of Vietnam’s Francophone group, which comprises embassies, delegations and social organisations that operate in Vietnam.

VNA