Thousands of visitors flocked to the northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien for the second cherry blossom festival that kicked off in Pa Khoang commune, Dien Bien district, on January 12.
The two-day festival features an array of activities, including Vietnamese and Japanese cultural and artistic performances, folk games and a farm produce market.
Special dishes of Viet Nam’s northwestern region and Japanese tea culture are introduced on this occasion.
Nguyen Huu Khoi, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dien Bien district, said the festival aims to honour the beauty and values of cherry blossom - a symbol of Japan, and preserve and promote values of cultural heritage of Dien Bien province.
The festival helps promote land, people and tourism potential of Dien Bien province, enhance solidarity and friendship between Viet Nam and Japan, and lure more Japanese investments in Viet Nam, he added.
It forms part of activities marking the 65th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory and the 110th founding anniversary of Dien Bien province, according to the official.