Sports & Entertainment
Festival marks 15-year cooperation between Hoi An and Japanese community
  • | Nhan Dan | August 20, 2017 04:22 PM
A wide range of activities are being held at the Hoi An – Japan Cultural Festival, which opened on August 19 to mark the 15-year cooperation between Vietnam’s ancient city and the Japanese community.




A performance at the opening ceremony of the festival.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio said that the year 2017 has witnessed many positive results in the Vietnam – Japan relations, which were reflected through the successful visits made by the Japanese Emperor and Empress to Vietnam and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Japan.

He also expressed his pleasure at the increased exchanges between people from the two countries.

Nguyen Van Son, Vice Chairman of Hoi An city People’s Committee said that the annual cultural festival has contributed to promoting the friendship between Hoi An and Japan, as well as the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Japan.

The festival has also connected the aspirations of people from two different lands regarding a better future, he stated.

The opening ceremony featured Vietnamese and Japanese traditional songs and dances. A 17th century wedding parade held for Princess Ngoc Hoa and Japanese businessman Araki Sotaro was also re-enacted on stage.

The love story reflects the close relationship that existed between Japanese traders and Hoi An residents during a wealthy period in the town’s history in the early 17th century.

Nearly 20 activities have been scheduled during the two-day festival, including a photo exhibition on the diversity of Vietnamese culture, a boat race and a stick pushing competition.

Vietnamese and Japanese participants have planed to demonstrate cosplays and martial arts performances of karate, judo and Vietnamese traditional Vovinam, while craftsmen are expected to offer visitors traditional Yukata try-ons, origami (paper folding) and local lantern making.

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