VietNamNet Bridge – The 2015 Japan Festival to be held in Ho Chi Minh City is a cultural activity that strengthens the traditional bilateral ties between the two countries, said a city senior official.

Cherry blossom in Da Lat (Photo: VNA)

Hua Ngoc Thuan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee during a reception on April 8 for Takebe Tsutomu, Head of the organising board for the third Japan Festival in Vietnam, spoke highly of the event, which is scheduled to be held in the city in November, confirming the city will facilitate any of the components required to make the event a success.

Relevant municipal agencies will proactively collaborate with Japan to design a blueprint for the event, Thuan said, adding that the city will ensure the event’s security and take measures to prevent fire and traffic congestion during the festival.

A wide range of cultural activities will take place at the event such as music concerts, parades and traditional cuisine options to introduce Japanese culture to Vietnamese people, said Takebe Tsutomu, who is also special advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance.

He expressed his hope of tightening the friendship between Japan and Vietnam and believed that with support from the southern Vietnamese hub, the event will serve as a catalyst to promote cultural understanding between the two nations.

The Japan Festival was organised for the first time in 2013 on the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, attracting as many as 65,000 visitors.

Last year’s event, themed “Cool Japan”, drew the attention of a large crowd of local residents and tourists to enjoy folk dances, Cosplay performances and traditional Japanese cuisine.

VNA