The French embassy will provide central Thua Thien-Hue province with US$30,000 this month for the training of technicians in service of cultural activities in Hue Festival 2008, according to the Thua Thien-Hue People’s Committee.

France is negotiating with Vietnam Airlines on the opening of a number of direct flights from Paris to Hanoi this summer to increase the number of French visitors to Hue during the festival.

According to the festival organising board, France has been a partner of Vietnam in the organisation of the annual Hue Festival since 2000. French artists will perform in five art programmes at this year’s event.

Main activities of Hue Festival 2008, themed "Cultural heritage with integration and development", will take place from June 3-11.

Thirty-nine art troupes from 21 countries have registered to take part in the festival.

In addition to France, other participating countries include Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US.