In line with this, a wide range of cultural events will be held during the course of festival to lure more visitors to Dien Bien province to enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms.

An opening ceremony will get underway with a special art performance featuring the culture of ethnic minority groups who reside in Dien Bien province whilst introducing some of the traditional costumes of both countries.

The festival will include folk games, an agricultural market showcasing goods from ethnic locals, and a space for displaying local cuisine of the northwestern region.

Visitors to the festival will also have the chance to witness a Japanese tea ceremony; sample a giant hot pot; and enjoy both Japanese rice wine Sake and Mong Pe, an aromatic wine from Vietnam’s northwestern region distilled from maize fermented with a special forest leaves.

A culinary contest, a sports competition, a marathon, and a kayak racing are also expected to bring a festive atmosphere to the event.

The festival was first held back in 2018 to mark Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties. This year it also serves as a curtain raiser for the celebration of the 70th year of Dien Bien Phu Victory which took place on May 7, 1954.

There are currently about 1,000 cherry trees located throughout Dien Bien province which bloom brilliantly during spring from January to April. The trees, imported from Japan and grown locally, are called “higan sakura” with “higan”, a reference to a spring Buddhist holiday celebrated by Japanese.

The beautiful cherry blossom has proved a hit in terms of attracting visitors over recent years.

Source: VOV