In her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 7^th Viet Nam-Japan Festival on Thursday, Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen affirmed that the festival was a comprehensive foreign affairs event with Japan in Da Nang.

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen speaking at the event

Since its first organisation in 2014, the festival has gradually become a favorite destination of local residents, especially young people who have special love for Japanese culture, people and country.

Vice Chairwoman Yen highlighted the significance of the festival in contributing to enhancing understanding and cultural exchanges between Viet Nam and Japan in general, and to deepening the friendly relationships between Da Nang and other Japanese partners in particular. She hoped that this year's event would bring interesting experience for both locals and visitors.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Japanese Consul General in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori said first held in 2014, the Viet Nam - Japan Cultural Exchange Festival is the most awaited cultural exchange event every year for Da Nang people, especially those who love the country, people and culture of Japan. However, it was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the complicated developments of COVID-19.

"This year’s festival will provide an opportunity for Da Nang’s residents and visitors to learn, experience and feel close to the country and culture of Japan" said Mr. Yakabe Yoshinori.

Vice Chairwoman Yen (fourth, left) and some delegates participating in a Japanese sake barrel-breaking ceremony.

Co-hosted by the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang and some related agencies and units, the Viet Nam - Japan Festival 2022 is taking place from July 14 - 17 at the East Sea Park in Son Tra District.

This year's event features a wide range of fascinating activities such as an exhibition about traditional Japanese dolls - the first of its kind in Da Nang, the ‘The world through the eyes of Vietnamese and Japanese children’ painting exhibition, friendly football matches between Da Nang young people and members of the Kawsaki Frontale Club, a Japanese tea ceremony space, and finals of a cosplay costume-wearing contest.

In addition, visitors to the event have the opportunity to visit over booths to explore education, tourism, commerce, culture and cuisine of the two countries.

Moreover, festival goers will be treated to some special arts programmes introducing the unique cultural features of the two countries such as Tuong (classical drama), Japanese calligraphy, traditional and contemporary dance, and Vietnamese and Japanese martial arts performances, and Japanese culinary arts.

This year's festival features many unique cultural and artistic exchange activities. In the photo: A drum performance by school pupils in the Viet Nam - Japan education system.

This year's festival also features more than 70 stalls in the fields of education, tourism, cuisine, and more. In the photo: Young people visit a Japanese souvenir stall.

Young people experiencing the Japanese art of paper folding.

One of the most highlights of this year's festival is an exhibition about traditional Japanese dolls - the firts of its kind in Da Nang.

Visitors at the ‘The world through the eyes of Vietnamese and Japanese children’ painting exhibition.

The festival attracts a large number of people and tourists who love Japanese culture.

During the festival, locals and visitors can enjoy many specialities of Da Nang and Japan

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG