On the morning of March 8, the 10th Vietnam - Japan Festival (JVF10) took place in Ho Chi Minh City with the theme "Holding hands together - Until tomorrow". The event marked an important milestone after a decade of successful organization and has become the largest cultural exchange event between the two countries in Vietnam.

Mr. Sugano Yuichi, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam, said: "The Vietnam - Japan Festival is the largest annual exchange event with the participation of private enterprises from the two countries. The theme of this year's festival is 'Holding hands together - Until tomorrow', demonstrating the close diplomatic relationship between the two countries and the hope that the two countries will continue to work together to develop further."

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The Vietnam - Japan Festival 2025 has many booths of development cooperation organizations and businesses of the two countries, promoting quality projects and products, contributing to promoting trade, investment, tourism, education, and enhancing friendship and mutual understanding.

This year's festival brings together the largest number of booths ever, with many cultural and culinary exchange activities and introduces cooperation projects in four main areas: education, climate change, community development and transportation.

One of the highlights at the festival is the circular eel farming model developed by Can Tho University, implemented within the framework of an international cooperation project to support the Mekong Delta in adapting to climate change.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Duc, lecturer at Can Tho University and in charge of the technical assistance project, explained: "The TC 2 project inherits the results from the TC 1 project and the loan project that has been implemented since 2015. Based on the practical research conditions of the Mekong Delta, this TC 2 project is the result of applying 12 models into practice for the people, based on actual needs and with the participation of the community".

The recirculating eel farming model uses the RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) system, which allows water reuse and applies the principles of mechanical and biological filtration. This system processes eel waste in two forms: solid waste is filtered by mechanical filtration, and dissolved waste is processed through biological filtration with the participation of bacteria, converting ammonia nitrogen (toxic) into nitrate nitrogen (non-toxic). This allows water reuse, minimizing discharge into the environment, saving water resources and ensuring food hygiene and safety.

The outstanding advantage of this system is the ability to control the environment, making eels healthier and not needing to use drugs, chemicals or antibiotics. With a high stocking density of 300-500 eels/m2, this model helps increase economic efficiency, while ensuring environmental and food safety criteria.

When asked about the possibility of expanding the model to other regions such as Nghe An - famous for eel farming in the North, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Minh Duc affirmed: "In this circulating condition, we can raise eels everywhere because we can control everything. With a circulating system, using little water, and proactive seed sources, we can raise them everywhere, even in cold climates."

Currently, this model is being strongly implemented in Hau Giang province - considered the "cradle" of eel farming in the South. Many eel farming cooperatives have been formed and the model has received support from local authorities.

Clip of circulating eel farming model:

In addition to the circular eel farming model, the festival also introduces many other important cooperation projects:

The project to enhance training, research and management capacity at Vietnam-Japan University is a symbol of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, established in 2014. Currently, there are about 1,100 students studying in typical majors such as Computer Science, Japanese Studies, Food Technology and Smart Agriculture.

The program of dispatching Japanese volunteers to Vietnam has been implemented for 30 years with more than 750 volunteers working in Vietnam in many fields such as healthcare, education, culture, sports and community development. 5 volunteers working in the fields of marketing, tourism and community development were also present to meet and exchange at this festival.

The construction project of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) is one of the largest cooperation projects that has been completed and started commercial operation since December 22, 2024. The official inauguration ceremony of the project was held on March 9, 2025 with the participation of many politicians from both countries.

The Vietnam - Japan Festival is not only a cultural event but also an opportunity to strengthen the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of sustainable development and climate change adaptation in Vietnam.

Further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan The 9th Vietnam - Japan Festival in 2024 with the theme 'Holding hands together - From now on' opened at 23/9 Park (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City).