The Inspire Me Festival 2018 will be held for the first time in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, Hanoi, to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam.

The London Symphony Orchestra

It also marks the 25th years of operations of the British Council in Vietnam. The festival is held by the British Embassy in Hanoi and the city people's committee from October 5 to 7. 

Visitors will be able to enjoy the latest exhibitions and technology shows from the UK, facial paintings, British cuisines, tea parties and Music Is Great 2018 contest. There are also interactive games and locations for photos with iconic UK symbols such as the red phone booth.

Education, business, innovation tourism, fashion and food and drink exhibitions will operate along Dinh Tien Hoang Street. Fashion show and live music will be at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the London Symphony Orchestra will perform by the Ly Thai To Statue.

On June 4, a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of UK-Vietnam diplomatic relations and the 92nd birthday of Queen Elizabeth II was held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations in collaboration with the UK Vietnam Friendship Association’s chapter in HCM City.

UK Consul General to HCM City Ian Gibbons said more UK high-ranking officials would pay visits to Vietnam to tighten the cooperative relations between the two countries. As of April 2018, the UK and Vietnam enjoyed over USD2bn in two-way trade, with USD1.75bn from Vietnamese exports.

Lao Dong/Dtinews