The Cherry-blossom or Genki Festival 2011 will take place at the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre in Hanoi on April 16-17 to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and also to remember Japanese earthquake victims.

Cherry-blossom festival 2009 in Hanoi (Photo: Vnexpress)

This event brings Japanese culture closer to the Vietnamese people through various cultural activities such as exhibition of large-famed paintings of the four seasons in Japan, introducing the cherry blossom flower, drama performances, Vietnamese-Japanese music shows and the Yosakoi dance amongst many other activities.

The Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, co-organisers of the event will also hold charity activities to raise money for Japan’s Tsunami Victims.

The annual cherry-blossom festival has attracted a large crowd of people from all walks-of-life since 2007.