At least 98 organisations and 150,000 visitors are expected to participate in this year’s Viet Nam Days in Japan festival to take place at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on September 13-14.
Speaking at a press briefing in Tokyo on August 26, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Doan Xuan Hung expressed his hope that this year’s festival themed “Hand in Hand”, will continue in the tradition of prior festivals, nurturing the close relationship between the two Governments and peoples.
Former Japanese Senator Matsuda Iwao, co-head of the organising board, echoing Ambassador Hung’s sentiments, said the festival has always been a popular event for Japanese citizens and Vietnamese people residing in Japan.
“The most wonderful thing is that down through the years the festival, featuring cultural and sports activities, has contributed to a heightened sense of closeness in the traditional ties of friendship between the two nations,” he said.
The highlight of this year’s festival is the debut of traditional Vietnamese water puppet shows, which are anticipated to be warmly received and highly appreciated by local audiences.