Truc Lam Yen Tu Culture Centre in Uong Bi City in Quang Ninh Province. Photo: VNA/VNS

The 2019 cherry blossom – Yen Tu yellow ochna flower festival opened at the Yen Tu Truc Lam culture centre in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh’s Uong Bi city on March 9.

This is the seventh consecutive year the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee and Japan’s International Culture Association have co-organised the festival, and it is the third time that the Yen Tu yellow apricot blossoms have been on display at the event.

The cultural event aims to boost cultural, trade and tourism links between Quang Ninh province and Japanese businesses and people through the iconic images of Japan’s cherry blossoms and Yen Tu’s yellow ochna trees, contributing to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

The opening ceremony saw art performances by artists from the two countries and a show of traditional Vietnamese and Japanese costumes.

The nine-day festival also features various Vietnamese and Japanese cultural activities and folk games, booths displaying signature products and specialties of Quang Ninh and Japan, and a trade conference for businesses from both countries.

As many as  100 cherry blossom trees and 5,000 cherry blossom branches from Japan, as well as 200 Yen Tu yellow ochna flower trees are showcased at this year's event.

Yen Tu yellow ochna trees normally bloom in the second lunar month, one month after the yellow ochna trees in the south.

Yen Tu Mountain, which is located between Quang Ninh and Bac Giang provinces, has breathtaking scenery and many ancient pagodas.

VNA/VNP