From March 23rd to March 26th, 2018, Japan Cultural Exchange Festival will officially be held at Ly Thai To Park and around Hoan Kiem Lake with many events, promising to become a cultural attraction for tourists and citizens of the capital city.
This year, the cherry blossom will continue to be displayed at Ly Thai To Park. Fifty cherry blossom trees and 10,000 cherry blossom branches will be displayed together with Hanoi’s typical flowers, creating a big picture and 12 mini sections that showcase the cultural identity of Japan and Vietnam. A ceremony of donating and planting 200 cherry blossom trees will also be held at Hoa Binh Park with the participation of the President of Japan Cultural Association Wanokai and Miss Cherry Blossom.
The opening ceremony of Japan Cultural Exchange Festival will take place at 8 p.m. on March 23, 1818 at Ly Thai To Park along with a series of cultural and art performances: Cherry Blossom Carol by Hanoi Popular Opera Theater, Japanese Drum Dance, Hanoi – An enthusiastic heart by Elite Artist Tan Minh, Cherry Blossom Medley, Japanese Traditional Martial Dance, and The Country’s Flower. The opening ceremony will be broadcasted live on channel H1 of Hanoi Radio and Television.
Events within Japan Cultural Exchange Festival also include the introduction about Japanese culture which takes place from 6 p.m., March 13 to March 25, 2018 in the area of Bat Giac House. About 16 Japanese culture booths will be set up to introduce about the art of tea, go, Chinese chess, art of folding paper, remote control toy cars, yoyo game, trading card game TCG, kimono and yukata, Japanese tourism, information about studying in Japan, and many others. There will also be a cherry blossom photo exhibition showcasing photos taken by Japanese photographer Iwahori. Hanoi’s traditional performing arts such Xam singing and Ca Tru singing will also be introduced at the event.
Yosakoi dance performances with the participation of 1000 people from 17 teams from Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City will take place on Dinh Tien Hoang Street on March 24 and 25. An introduction to Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine with 21 food stalls will also be held at Hanoi Children’s Palace on No. 36 Ly Thai To from 6 p.m., March 23 to March 25.
Mr. To Van Dong, Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, presided over the press conference about events within the Festival.
In his speech at the press conference, Mr. To Van Dong, Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, stated that the incoming Japan Cultural Exchange Festival would be held on a larger scale with improved quality with an aim to become one of Hanoi’s unique tourist and cultural brand; in addition to the display of cherry blossom flowers which had been held successfully in the two recent years, the incoming Japan Cultural Exchange Festival would also include a seminar and exchange event for cooperation in and promotion of investment and tourism between Hanoi and Japan which would take place at Melia Hotel, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet Street, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 23; the seminar and exchange event was aimed at introducing an overview of Hanoi’s investment and tourism cooperation with Japanese partners and calling for investment promotion in hi-tech agriculture, health, education, and environmental treatment; Advanced International Joint Stock Company (AIC) would coordinate with Japanese partners in donating a number of new Japanese technology equipment in the fields of education and health, inviting highly qualified and reputable Japanese doctors to Hanoi to exchange examination and treatment experience.
The organization of Japan Cultural Exchange Festival is a commendable gesture in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and also a chance for Hanoi and Japan to enhance the exchange of experience and cooperation in education, health, tourism, and economics, thereby enhancing understanding and trust, and deepening the comprehensive relations between the two countries.
Thanh Mai