Specifically, the event, part of the National Tourism Year 2018 hosted by Quang Ninh, will be held from March 22-26 instead of March 24-28 as announced earlier.

Vice Chairman of the city People’s Committee Pham Tuan Dat said that the adjustment is to suit the working schedule of the Japanese guest delegation.

Mr, Dat added the place and activities of the festival will remain unchanged.

This year, the event will take place at the Yen Tu relic site of Uong Bi city - the land of founding Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen – instead of Ha Long city as the three previous versions.

A strings of activities will be organised at the festival, including a show on traditional and modern clothing of Viet Nam and Japan, art performances, a display of 50 cherry blossoms trees, 5,000 bonsai trees and more than 100 Yen Tu yellow ochna flower trees and a trade fair introducing local farm produce.

The yellow ochna flower is indigenous to the area near Yen Tu Mountain. Legend has it that the species was grown in the area by King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the third King of the Tran Dynasty.

The King abdicated when he was 35 and spent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain practicing and propagating Buddhism. He founded the first Vietnamese School of Buddhism called “Thien Tong” or Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen on the 1,068m-high Yen Tu Mountain.

The Cherry blossom – Yen Tu ochna flower festival has drew the participation of many Vietnamese and Japanese businesses and visitors over the years. It promotes the images of Yen Tu relic site and the yellow ochna flower, along with introducing cherry blossoms and Japanese culture to attendees.

Through the festival, Quang Ninh aims to promote its image and strengths in economy, culture and tourism to Japanese people, thus enhancing cooperation and trade between businesses and ties between the province and Japan’s localities and agencies.