Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam-Egypt Cultural Week kicked off on July 21 in El Gouna city, a tourist resort in the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt. The opening ceremony included the screening of videos, a photo exhibition, a book and material display to introduce Vietnam’s culture, country and people as well as outstanding socio-economic achievements in 30 years of reform. The highlight of the opening ceremony was the water puppet show “Isis Osiris”, which was adapted from the “Isis Osiris” myth of Egypt, and is a cooperation product between the two countries’ cultural sectors. It tells an ancient story in the Egyptian myth with sainted animals and characters vividly reconstructed by materials and distinctive colours of Vietnam’s unique water puppetry art. The show, the first in Egypt in particular and the Middle East in general, was performed by artists from the Cairo Puppet Theatre, leaving a strong impression on Egyptian audiences. Vietnam’s Ambassador to Egypt Do Hoang Long stressed the Vietnam-Egypt Cultural Exchange Week is special as Egyptian artists used Vietnam’s water puppetry art to convey their culture and history. The exchange activity brought Vietnamese and Egyptian people closer, Long said, adding that the embassy will also conduct economic promotion activities with a view to promoting bilateral trade. He told the Cairo-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent that he will work hard for the establishment of a pair relationship between central Da Nang city and the Red Sea Governorate since both boast huge marine tourism potential. The Week, organised by Vietnam’s Embassy in Egypt in collaboration with the Red Sea Governorate, will last until July 26.-VNA