The Japan Sakura Festival 2016 will open at Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi on April 16-17, the Vietnam – Japan Cultural Exchange Association announced at a press conference on April 4.

This year’s event is to mark the 10th year of the festival in Vietnam.

Visitors at Japan Sakura Festival 2014.

According to the organising board, about 300 large branches of cherry blossoms will be transported by air from Japan to Hanoi for exhibition.

The festival also features Japan’s cultural performances, such as Yosakoi dance, martial arts; and performance of the country’s girl group Parallel Dream.

The Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival was first held in Hanoi in 2007, providing an outstanding cultural activity in Vietnam to introduce Japan’s cultural beauty to visitors.

The earliest cherry blossoms come into bloom in late January in southern Okinawa prefecture and reach northern Hokkaido prefecture in early May. The flowers drop off about a week after they appear.

Source: VNA