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.

Story: Ngan Ha – Photos: Viet Cuong