Hanoi hosts cultural exchange programme with Japan

A cultural exchange programme between Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi and Japan kicked off at Ly Thai To Flower Garden in Hanoi on March 19.

Visitors to the opening ceremony enjoyed performances made by popular Vietnamese artists as well as singers, bands and students from Japan.

At the event, 200 cherry trees from Japan were presented as gifts to Hanoi city. The trees will be then planted at Hoa Binh Park in Bac Tu Liem district.

A drum performance by Japanese students at the event (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)

Addressing the opening, Chairman of the Hanoi city People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung affirmed that Vietnam and Japan have made significant strides in boosting bilateral relations over recent years.

He stressed that culture has always been a key pillar to increase mutual understanding between the two peoples, noting that the programme will help Hanoians to learn more about the culture of the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.

He also pledged that Hanoi authorities always provide support for people-to-people exchanges and cultural activities between the city and Japan while creating favourable conditions for Japanese businesses and investors to run their operation in the city.

For his part, Chairman of Japan's Wanokai International Culture Association, Sato Mitsugu expressed hope that cultural exchange activities would help tighten friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Japan as well as between Hanoi and the association in particular.

During the two-day programme, visitors can join a wide range of cultural activities such as exhibitions displaying Vietnamese and Japanese heritages, presentations on ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arrangement) or try on Japanese kimonos.

Vietnamese folk music will also be performed, including ca tru (ceremonial singing), chau van (spiritual singing) and cheo (traditional opera).

A seminar-seeking cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese tourism companies and free screenings of Japanese cartoons are also featured as part of the event.

On the occasion, areas around Ly Thai To Garden were adorned with around 10,000 braches of Japan’s cherry blossom flowers and Vietnam’s signature flowers, aiming to provide a colourful space for visitors during the programme.

The programme was co-organised by the Hanoi city Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Japan's Wanokai International Culture Association to celebrate the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.