This is also the annual event organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) coordinates with the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and Kanagawa Prefecture.

The festival was attended by Mr. Kuroiwa Yuji - Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, Mr. Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Nguyen Duc Minh - Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, Mr. Pham Van Thuy, Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and representatives of agencies, organisations, two countries' businesses and a large number of Kanagawa residents and tourists.

Mr. Kuroiwa Yuji - Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture speaking at the event (Photo: VNAT)

During the two days of festival, many exciting activities were held such as: Promote the image of the country, people, culture and tourism potential of Vietnam; Water puppetry, land puppetry performances and traditional musical instrument performance at the main stage of the Festival, Reception programme of the Governor; Vietnam Roadshow promotes Vietnam's tourism destinations and policies, premiere tourism products and services; connect travel agencies, hotels, and airlines of Vietnam and Japan to exchange and cooperate in tourism…

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji stressed that from 2015 till now, the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa has been held 8 times, if not delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year would be the 10th edition. When the festival was first held in 2015, there were only about 10,000 Vietnamese people living in Kanagawa, but now that number has increased to about 34,000 people, ranking second in the number of foreigners living here.

He also emphasised that in 2015, there were no Vietnamese enterprises operating in Kanagawa, but currently there are 17 Vietnamese enterprises investing, and more Vietnamese enterprises intending to invest in Kanagawa. This cultural event not only connects the people of the two countries in the cultural field but also in the economic field.

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong speaking at the event (Photo: VNAT)

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong noted, culture is an important bridge that helps countries get closer and understand each other better. Over the past 10 years, the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa has continuously developed, becoming one of the most anticipated large-scale cultural events of Vietnam in Japan, connecting people, gathering communities, and strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Japan. These artistic and culinary activities not only bring the quintessence and identity of Vietnam to Japan, but also enhance the exchange, interaction, learning and mutual complementarity between the two cultures of Vietnam and Japan.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Minh, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, noted that the event has become a beloved tradition and an effective bridge of friendship between the people of the two countries since its inception in 2015. The Vietnam Festival serves as a vital platform to connect the people of Vietnam and Japan, promoting the image of Vietnam, its people and cultural values to the Japanese public, especially those in Kanagawa.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Minh, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan speaking at the event (Photo: VNAT)

Leaders and delegates visiting Vietnam’s booths at the festival (Photo: VNAT)

VNAT’s Vice Chairman Pham Van Thuy visiting booths (Photo: VNAT)

Numerous of festival goers visiting booths (Photo: VNAT)

The festival is an opportunity for local residents to get better insights into a beautiful Vietnam, thus promoting people-to-people ties. The two-day festival featured booths showcasing the beauty of Vietnamese culture, traditional cuisine, economic strengths, and specialties. Vietnamese food stalls were a major draw, with long lines of visitors eager to enjoy famous dishes such as Pho, spring rolls, beef spicy noodle soup, bun cha, coffee and banh mi.

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