The 2015 Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival was held at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (Hanoi) on April 11-12, 2015 by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The festival with a series of events was aimed at introducing Japanese culture to Vietnamese.
Addressing the festival’s opening ceremony, Yushita Hiroyuki, former Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam and Co-Head of the festival’s management board, said that the festival provides a chance for Vietnamese to not only contemplate the beauty of cherry blossoms from Japan but also learn more about traditional cultural characteristics of “the Land of the Rising Sun”.
This year’s festival consisted of a diverse range of Japan’s cultural activities, including Yosakoi - a traditional dance, Sumo, Kendo, Aikido performances, palanquin processions and Cosplay disguise which were performed by both countries’ artists. Besides folk games, the stalls introducing Japanese cuisine and providing consultancy on study in Japan also drew much attention from the visitors.
According to Prof. Vu Khac Liem, Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Cultural Exchange Association and Co-Head of the Festival’s management board, the highlight of this festival was that it was held at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, so Japanese people could learn more about the culture and history of Vietnam.
The Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival has been held since 2007 and has now becomes one of the most anticipated cultural events, promoting the relationship between Vietnam and Japan.
Addressing the festival’s opening ceremony, Yushita Hiroyuki, former Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam and Co-Head of the festival’s management board, said that the festival provides a chance for Vietnamese to not only contemplate the beauty of cherry blossoms from Japan but also learn more about traditional cultural characteristics of “the Land of the Rising Sun”.
This year’s festival consisted of a diverse range of Japan’s cultural activities, including Yosakoi - a traditional dance, Sumo, Kendo, Aikido performances, palanquin processions and Cosplay disguise which were performed by both countries’ artists. Besides folk games, the stalls introducing Japanese cuisine and providing consultancy on study in Japan also drew much attention from the visitors.
According to Prof. Vu Khac Liem, Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Cultural Exchange Association and Co-Head of the Festival’s management board, the highlight of this festival was that it was held at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, so Japanese people could learn more about the culture and history of Vietnam.
The Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival has been held since 2007 and has now becomes one of the most anticipated cultural events, promoting the relationship between Vietnam and Japan.
Story: Ngan Ha – Photos: Viet Cuong
Hanoians take photos near cherry blossoms branches that were brought from Japan.
The Maika dance troupe (Japan) performs Yosakoi - a traditional dance which is one of the activities at the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.
Performing traditional martial arts of Japan at the festival.
Various Japanese traditional cultural activities are performed at the festival.
Vietnamese dancers perform Japanese traditional dances at the festival.
The 2015 Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival provides young Vietnamese a chance to participate in Japanese cultural activities.
Dr. Vu Khac Liem, Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Cultural Exchange Association and co-head of the festival’s organization board delivers the opening speech at the festival.
Young Vietnamese and Japanese in Japanese traditional costumes.
The 2015 Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival attracts a large number of Hanoians.
The cherry saplings are presented to Vietnam by Japan at the festival. These trees will be planted in Ha Giang Province, where the climate is appropriate for this kind of tree.
Hanoians take photos near cherry blossoms branches that were brought from Japan.
Sumo is also performed at the festival.
Junko Kitagawwa from Tokyo prepares to fly a Japanese traditional kite at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
The attendees play Japanese folk games.
The attendees play Japanese folk games.
Japanese people attend the 2015 Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival in Hanoi.
Representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam cut the inaugural ribbon at the festival.
The 2015 Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival starts with a palanquin procession.
The Maika dance troupe (Japan) performs Yosakoi - a traditional dance which is one of the activities at the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.