Crowds of people and tourists flock to the Vietnam

The 2025 Vietnam - Japan Festival became bustling when thousands of visitors, including many foreign visitors, flocked to the park on the evening of September 23 and March 8.

Hàng nghìn người đổ về Lễ hội Việt- Nhật 2025 - Ảnh 1. — Entrance to Lotus Zone, a Japanese-style shopping area that is always bustling - Photo: HONG PHUC

"Hotter" than the weather

"This year, we aim to attract about 450,000 visitors, surpassing last year's record number," said Ms. Seiko Hashimoto, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives and chairwoman of the Japanese organizing committee of the Vietnam-Japan Festival, as she watched the flow of visitors to 23-9 Park, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

From around 5pm, the food stalls, shopping areas and art stages began to bustle. Many young people took advantage of the time to come to the festival after work, while families and groups of friends also came early to join in the bustling atmosphere.

The Vietnam - Japan Festival is not only the largest event introducing Japan in Vietnam but also becomes a cultural bridge, strengthening the relationship between the people of the two countries.

It is expected that in November 2025, for the first time, a festival promoting Ho Chi Minh City will take place in Tokyo, opening up opportunities for cultural connection and promoting friendly relations between Vietnam and Japan.

"It was too hot during the day so I decided to come to the festival in the evening when the weather was cooler," said Thu Ha, a visitor, expressing her curiosity about the Bon Odori dance show at 6 p.m.

In the hot and humid days of March in Ho Chi Minh City, the shady green spaces become ideal resting places for tourists. Food stalls, especially beverage stalls, are always bustling.

The 10th Vietnam - Japan Festival has the participation of 115 trade, culinary and tourism exhibition booths from businesses of the two countries.

Hàng nghìn người đổ về Lễ hội Việt- Nhật 2025 - Ảnh 2. — A large number of visitors came to the Vietnam - Japan Festival 2025 - PHOTO: HONG PHUC

In addition, a series of special cultural and artistic exchange programs also brought about 30 performances on stage with the participation of Vietnamese and Japanese artists.

Impressive performances promise to create a rich and engaging experience for visitors.

Hand in hand, towards the future

In the context of the world facing many challenges such as division and broken global relations, Mr. Takebe Tsutomu - Honorary Chairman of the Japanese Festival Executive Committee - emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries.

As a special advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, he affirmed that Vietnam and Japan need to strengthen ties in the spirit of "holding hands tightly, looking towards the future".

"I hope the Vietnam - Japan Festival will continue to serve as an important fulcrum in the journey to realize that goal," said Mr. Takebe Tsutomu. At the same time, he believes that the strong connection between the two countries will become a positive driving force for the younger generation, contributing to building a better future.