HoChi Minh City, August 15, India’s fragrance was spread all across the beautiful city of Ho Chi Minh City as award-winning filmmaker-actor Rahul Mittra & well-known Bollywood actor Anupam Kher celebrated Indian Independence Day at the official residence of the Indian Consul General Dr Madan Mohan Sethi. The early morning celebrations saw Indians & Vietnamese celebrate Indian Independence with great gusto. The Indian celebrities had earlier opened the second edition of the coveted Namaste Vietnam Festival at a packed auditorium in the iconic Hoa Binh Theatre, Ho Chi Minh City’s biggest performing arts venue over the weekend.
Organised by the Embassy of India in Vietnam & the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, this mega festival of India is being held in Vietnam till August 20th.
Rahul Mittra & Anupam Kher addressed the 2000 strong audience comprising of top Vietnamese government functionaries & diplomats, leading local media persons, Indian Consul General Dr Madan Mohan Sethi, festival curator Captain Rahul Bali, singer Alisha Chinai, actresses Avika Gor & Helly Shah, directors Rahat Kazmi & Abhishek Jain, prominent Indians & expats in large numbers, as the celebrities were awarded for their contribution to cinema amidst rousing applause from the crowds at the grand opening ceremony.
Further to the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he reiterated the importance of Vietnam as the key to India’s Act East policy, this festival is aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations between both countries, entailing a bouquet of events ranging from film screenings, cultural performances, master classes by the celebrities, Indian Independence Day celebrations, seminars & conferences in order to generate a euphoria about India in Vietnam.
Filmmaker-actor & branding specialist Rahul Mittra had led the first ever Indian film delegation to Vietnam in 2015, followed by one last year which was a roaring success, paving the way for enhanced cultural exchange & friendly ties between both counties.
