It was mentioned during a meeting in the city on September 6 between Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thu and special advisor to the Japan – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Tsutomu Takebe. 

Thu told her guest that Ho Chi Minh City always attaches importance to developing ties with Japanese localities. Japan is now HCM City’s third largest exporter and placed the fourth out of 92 countries and territories investing in the city. 

She spoke highly of Takebe’s role as head of the organising board of the festival, which helps strengthen cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two counties’ people, adding that the city will assign agencies concerned to work closely with the Japanese side to hold the event. 

Takebe, in reply, suggested the city allow the festival to be held on January 26-28, 2018 at the 23/9 Park. 

The event will feature music performances, seminars and cultural, sport and trade promotion activities. Last year, it drew about 220,000 visitors.

VNA