Dozens of thousands of people in the southern province of Dong Nai and nearby areas had chance to contemplate the pristine beauty of pink and white cherry blossom as the first-ever Japanese cherry blossom festival was opened in the locality on April 23.

The festival, jointly held by the provincial People’s Committee and the Advance International Company (AIC), saw the participation of Politburo member Pham Minh Chinh, head of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission and Politburo member To Lam, Minister of Public Security.

Cherry blossoms on display. Photo: baodongnai.com.vn

The two-day event served as a venue for Japanese and local people and businesses to exchange culture and seek investment cooperation, contributing to consolidating the friendship between Dong Nai province and Japan, a representative from the local People’s Committee said.

As many as 70 cherry trees and 5,000 blossom branches were brought from Hokkaido, Japan to the festival.

In addition to cherry blossom, the organizing board also arranged a space for Vietnamese flowers such as daisy, orchid and lotus, representing cultural exchanges while creating diversity in the flower exhibition.

Traditional art performances from two countries were also delivered at the event.

After the festival, the cherry trees will be planted at Tran Bien Temple of Literature as a present of Japan.

Isao Iijima, special advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister, and 50 Japanese enterprises also attended the festival and organized an investment promotion conference in the locality.

Source: VNA