2019 Japanese cherry blossom festival opens in Hanoi

Held for the fourth consecutive year, the festival is jointly organised by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, featuring 100 cherry blossoms trees and 20,000 branches, plus various kinds of local flowers modeled into famous landscapes and symbols of the two countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of Hanoi municipal People's Committee, Ngo Van Quy, said that the festival continues to introduce and promote Japanese cultural beauty and people to the locals of Hanoi, helping to further strengthen the understanding, trust and cohesion between the people of the two countries.

It is also an opportunity to exchange experiences and cooperate in the fields of culture, education, health, tourism and economy between Hanoi and Japan, Quy added.

During the weekend, various activities introducing the Japanese and Vietnamese cultures will take place at different spaces in the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake from Friday evening to the end of March, offering an attractive cultural space for Hanoians and tourists.

On the opening night, the public were treated to a range of special art performances by both Japanese and Vietnamese artists, as well as enjoying the beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms.

Following are some pictures from the festival captured by Nhan Dan Online correspondent Duy Linh:

The festival features 100 cherry blossoms trees and 20,000 branches, plus various kinds of local flowers.

The cherry blossoms, though having undergone a long process of transportation, are still fresh and vibrant in the spring sunshine of Hanoi.

In its 4th season, the festival has become a regular cultural event, contributing to promoting exchanges and cooperation in all aspects between Vietnam - Japan in general and Hanoi - Japan in particular.

Many famous destinations in both Vietnam and Japan are recreated with flowers at the festival.

The number of cherry blossoms is nearly twice that of last year, which makes the display space more vivid, lively and attractive.

The festival is open freely for visitors to enjoy flowers, take photos and join the culture spaces of both countries.