HANOI, Nov. 28, 2011 -- An exhibition on Chinese calligraphy and painting opened here on Monday by the Vietnam-China and China- Vietnam Friendship Associations, to display 35 works by nine Chinese artists.

The expo is one among the ASEAN-China cultural exchange events held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic dialogue relations, said organizers.

Vietnam and China are close neighboring countries with many cultural similarities. Over the past years, bilateral cultural exchange was held in various fields, including artistic performances, literature, paintings and calligraphy, said Bui Hong Phuc, vice president of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association.

Chinese calligraphy and painting are not only of long-standing history, but also reflect China's traditional culture. The expo is an opportunity for Chinese and Vietnamese visitors to contemplate and better learn about Chinese art, and for artists of both sides to exchange know-how about each other's culture, Phuc added.

Eighty-year-old Yang Mingyi, who has paintings on display, said he wanted to introduce the beauty of China to the Vietnamese people and contributed to enhance the knowledge of culture and friendship between the two peoples.