Vietnam and Japan are two Asian countries with many similarities in traditional culture.
The relationship between the two countries is rooted in cultural connections, such as the music of Lam Ap brought to the ancient capital of Nara in the eighth century. Since then, each cultural marker has acted as a messenger of friendship connecting the two peoples, bringing the two countries’ relations in line with the Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia that the leaders of the two sides have committed to.
Over the years, annual festivals such as the Vietnam Festival in Japan, the Japanese Festival in Vietnam or cultural exchange events have always been well received by the people of the two countries.
An important highlight in the picture of cultural exchange, enhancing friendship and understanding about Japan is the Viet Nam – Japan Festival, which was held for the first time in 2014. Through 7 organization occasions, this much-awaited festival has become an annual cultural event that is meaningful not only for Da Nang people, Japanese people living and working in the city but also for tourists near and far. Especially, the Vietnam – Japan Festival 2023 held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan relations has attracted more than 5000 attendees.
The Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival in Vietnam (Hanami Festival) is also one of the annual events held in some big cities such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City,… This is the cherry blossom exhibition event, aiming to introduce the national flower and Japanese culture to the indigenous peoples as well as promote the image and strengths of tourism in provinces and cities to international friends. The festival aims to cement friendship, enhance mutual understanding, contribute to bringing the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership into depth, practicality and effectiveness.
The event regularly receives special attention from Vietnamese people. Typically, the Japan-Hanoi Cherry Blossom Festival in 2019 held at Ly Thai To Flower Garden has been recognized as the Vietnam record for the unique cherry blossom festival with the most human and community-based values, events and activities. The event attracted over one million domestic and foreign visitors.
Within the framework of the 19th Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange taking place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, N&V Bridge Group cooperated with ASKA Company and PlanDo Company to successfully organize Vietnam – Japan Anison Festival Hoi An 2023. The concert gathered famous guests representing Vietnam and Japan to bring attractive performances. The popular anime soundtrack help blur national boundaries, bringing anime in particular and Japanese culture in general closer to music fans in Vietnam.
The rapprochement between the two peoples has helped cooperation and cultural exchange flourish. The cultural similarities will unite the two peoples and be a stable foundation for the development of relations between the two countries forever.
Let’s look forward to more specific sharing in the speech of Mr. Nguyen Vo Huyen Duong – CEO of N&V Bridge Group at the seminar of the Asian Food Business Association on October 11, 2023.
