The two-day festival in late December included numerous cultural, sports, music, cuisine, tourism and trade promotion activities which promoted the cultural exchange between the two countries.
 A Taiko drumming performance at the opening ceremony of Kizuna.  Playing Japanese traditional musical instruments.  Charming performance by the Japanese Wonder Weed band.  Vietnamese singer Suni Ha Linh cheers up the audience with Vietnamese and Japanese songs.  Writing wishes on Ema boards, a beautiful cultural trait of Japan.  Posing with their Japanese idol.  Children learn Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding.  Vietnamese traditional martial art, Vovinam, is introduced at the festival.  Performance by Vietnamese martial artists.  Japanese traditional fencing.  Performing Japanese wrestling.  The festival introduces Japanese cuisine.  The well-known Torii Gate is a favorite check-in spot for Vietnamese youngsters. |
The event displayed Japanese cultural symbols, including a miniature Torii Gate; Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper, and Ema, the wooden plaques on which one can write their wishes according to Japanese tradition.
The festival included musical performances by Japanese and Vietnamese artists, including singer Inoue Keiichi, opera singer Riku Matsubara, and Wonder Weed and Wasuta bands of Japan, and Vietnamese singer Suni Ha Linh and Japan-style Niji Universe Inc band.
It also featured Vietnamese and Japanese sports performances, like Taiko drumming, Japanese boxing, fencing and wrestling, Vietnamese traditional martial arts, and a friendly Japan-Vietnam football match.
“Kizuna is an exciting festival for those interested in Japanese culture,” said Han Ni from Binh Thanh district.
According to festival organizers, Kizuna is expected to be held annually in Ho Chi Minh City, given its first-time success./.
By Son Nghia
