Attending the ceremony were Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, the Member of Ministry of Politics cum the Chairman of National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Mr. Iijima Isao, the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo-Abe; Mr. Umeda Kunio, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, and representatives from ministries, departments, central branches, international organizations, and Embassies of other countries in Vietnam.
Participants from Hanoi city authority: Mr. Nguyen Duc Chung, the Member of Party Central Committee cum Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee cum the Chairman of the City People’s Committee; Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, the Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee cum the Chairman of the City People’s Council; Mr. Dao Duc Toan, the Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee; and representatives of Hanoi departments, branches, and divisions.
The opening ceremony of Japanese Cultural Exchange Festival 2018 is an important event in the series of activities commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (Sept. 21, 1973 – Sept. 21, 2018).
“Japanese Cultural Exchange Festival 2018 is one of the most robust activities to introduce Hanoian people and visitors the culture of Japan – the Land of Rising Sun. Every people will have opportunity to learn about the unique culture of a traditional but modern Japan right in Hanoi capital – our one-thousand-year city of culture”
The Chairman of Hanoi City People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung speaking at the opening ceremony
“We believe that, all of you, the delegates, the citizens of Hanoi capital and international visitors not only enjoy the beauty of sakura blossoms, but also access to the multidimensional aspects of culture when participating in traditional cultural exchange activities between Vietnam and Japan with the participation of person holding the title Japanese Sakura Blossom Queen” – said the Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung – “The Japanese cultural exchange festival 2018 will definitely leave a great impression on everyone. At the same time, it will be a bridge for the people of the two countries to enhance mutual understanding, thereby contributing to the development of Vietnam-Japan strategic relationship in an intensive, substantive and effective manner.”
Iijima Isao, the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan felt honored to attend the Japanese Cultural Exchange Festival in Hanoi. He said that last year witnessed a great development in the relationship between Japan and Vietnam, reflected in frequent mutual visits by senior leaders of the two countries. “This year marks the 45th anniversary of establishment diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. I hope that the relationship and friendship between the peoples – foundation for the future of the two countries will develop more intensively” said Ijima Isao.
Special art performance program by Vietnamese and Japanese artists at the opening ceremony
In addition, Mr. Umeda Kunio – the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam also added that the Japanese Cultural Exchange Festival 2018 had a new look with 4 points of difference, compared to the Sakura Blossom Festival held in 2017. Firstly, it is the first time the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam has joined the festival as a co-organizer together with Hanoi People’s Committee. Secondly, it is also the first time the persons holding title Sakura Blossom Queen and Sakura Blossom Princess from Japan appear in this year’s festival. Thirdly, in addition to Japanese sakura blossoms, some Vietnamese flowers such as orchids, roses, etc. are also exhibited in the festival. Fourthly, thanks to the cooperation of Japanese Organizing Committee, this year’s festival features a lot of activities such as Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine introduction program, Yosakoi contest, opportunity for women to try wearing kimono, tea ceremony, Go, etc.
The Ambassador of Japan in Vietnam desires that through this Festival, people in Hanoi city will understand more about Japan, and the relationship between Japan and Hanoi city will be increasingly consolidated.
Japanese cultural exchange festival will surely attract lots of people in Hanoi city as well as international and domestic tourists, and become a tourist destination in Hanoi city.
TN