Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa returns after two years
The Vietnam Festival in Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture opened in Yokohama city on September 10 with the participation of a large number of people from both countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam (second from left) and Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa (second from right) at the festival (Photo: VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – The Vietnam Festival in Japan’sKanagawa prefecture opened in Yokohama city on September 10 with theparticipation of a large number of people from both countries.
Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa expressed his delight that thefestival has returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic’simpacts, hoping the event would be warmly welcomed and help connect people inhis prefecture and Japan at large with Vietnam.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam said first held in2015, the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa has become one of the annual culturalexchange events to help enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples throughcultural, musical and culinary exchanges, thereby further popularise images of Vietnam’sland, people, culture, and history to Japanese friends.
The festival has also helped strengthen solidarity andfriendship, thus contributing to development cooperation in all aspects betweenthe two countries, he added.
During the two-day event, visitors had a chance to enjoymusical performances by Vietnamese and Japanese artists and taste traditionaldishes of the Southeast Asian nation. An eloquence contest for internationalstudents in Kanagawa was also held.
Located to the south of Tokyo, Kanagawa is the second mostpopulous prefecture in Japan with a population of over 9.2 million. The numberof Vietnamese people in the prefecture has been on the rise in recent years, making themthe third largest foreign communities in this prefecture, after those fromChina and the Republic of Korea./.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has lauded young parliamentarians of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan for their deep understanding of the traditional ties between the Vietnamese and Japanese people, saying it laid an important foundation to continue fostering bilateral ties.
The 18th Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange opened in Hoi An ancient city, a World Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in the central province of Quang Nam on August 26 evening.
Vietnam has arranged a booth designated to popularise the protection of its sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos at a Vietnamese food and consumer goods fair in Osaka, Japan.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) Dao Ngoc Dung had a working session with Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) Katsunobu Kato in Tokyo on September 5, suggesting that the Japanese side consider the exemption of residence tax and income tax for Vietnamese interns as applied to those from other countries.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam (second from left) and Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa (second from right) at the festival (Photo: VNA) 
