Attending the opening ceremony this morning (March 9) were former President Truong Tan Sang, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Mr. Takebe Tsutomu - Special Advisor to the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, Honorary Head of the Organizing Committee of the Vietnam - Japan Festival 2024...

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said that with the theme "Holding hands together - From now on", this year's festival demonstrates the common aspiration of the leaders and people of the two countries to further strengthen friendship and cooperation, join hands to build a better future for the two nations, and actively contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The festival is held on a special occasion when the two countries have just experienced a year 2023 filled with meaningful events celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations and entering 2024 - the first year of implementing the framework of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

W-img-7750-1.jpg
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai attended the ceremony.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that the remarkable development in both quality and quantity of the bilateral relationship is not only thanks to the determination and joint efforts of the two countries' senior leaders, but also based on the support, cooperation and vibrant exchanges between the two peoples, especially in the fields of economics, trade, investment, culture, education, etc.

Supporting and coordinating the organization of the festival over the years, Ho Chi Minh City wishes to fulfill its role and commitment as a leading locality contributing to the relationship between the two countries, a leading trusted partner of Japanese localities that have had, are having and will have friendly and cooperative relations with the city in various fields.

W-img-7653-1.jpg
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Phan Van Mai - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee said that the city's leaders and he personally appreciated the efforts of the festival's organizing committee, colleagues, and Japanese and Vietnamese friends who have "held hands together" to organize the series of 'Vietnam - Japan Festivals' over the past 11 years, with the scale increasingly expanding and the forms increasingly diverse.

At the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the cultures of Japan and Vietnam through activities such as Japanese tea ceremony, Vietnamese lotus tea; Origami paper folding exchange; Water coconut leaf tying; Experience wearing traditional Kimono; Performing folk games of the two countries...

no logo.jpg

In addition, at the festival there are also booths of development cooperation organizations and businesses of the two countries, promoting quality projects and products, contributing to promoting trade, investment, tourism, education, strengthening friendship and mutual understanding.

W-img-8128-1.jpg

Within the framework of this year's Vietnam - Japan Festival, the audience will enjoy performances by Japanese music groups, singer Tang Duy Tan... as well as interact with the family of Ong Cao Thang, Dong Nhi...

A large number of people in Ho Chi Minh City, especially young people, came to the 'Vietnam - Japan Festival'. Many young people dressed up as comic characters, wearing Japanese-style costumes and makeup, making the festival more interesting.

Popular games in Japan such as baseball, cycling, skiing are included in the 'Vietnam - Japan Festival' for visitors to participate and experience. The festival takes place from March 9 to March 10.
Tourists eagerly attend the Rhododendron Flower Festival, the first time in the 'foggy town' Known as the flower that heralds spring, from February to April every year, the rhododendron flowers bloom and show off their colors. With a cool climate all year round, Tam Dao is considered a paradise for this flower.