During the festival, many Japanese activities were organised, such as a tea ceremony, Haiku poetry, origami, and martial arts, while the Vietnamese side put on an “ao dai” fashion show, calligraphy painting and “chau van” (spiritual singing)..
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Cong Tanh emphasised that culture is an effective bridge to unite the nations and peoples of the world. The regular organisation and diversification of such activities helps promote the friendship between the two countries, in general, and between Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces and cities in Japan, in particular.
He added that the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City and local authorities have jointly held a number of exchange activities in various fields such as culture, education and charity work.
As a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations, the association has called upon businesses in Vietnam and Japan to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation, he said.
Japan has become the third biggest trade market of Vietnam in 2019. A number of technical and education exchanges between the two sides have taken place in Ho Chi Minh City.
Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Kawaue Junichi voiced his hope that the city will continue to hold the festival to forge connections between Vietnamese and Japanese people as well as contribute to the development of the two countries’ relations.
