A bridge connecting Vietnam and Japan.

The Vietnam-Japan Festival has been held annually in Da Nang since 2014, formerly known as the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival. Each year, the event is not only a cultural activity but also a meeting point for cooperation in economics, culture, education, tourism, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

Traditional Vietnamese and Japanese costumes showcased at the Vietnam-Japan Festival.

Meeting Japan in Da Nang

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan Festival, and it is being held on the largest scale ever.

With over 100 exhibition booths, more than 200 Japanese delegates, nearly 100 Japanese businesses, and dozens of cultural, artistic, and sporting programs spanning three days (July 4-6), the event's strong appeal is undeniable.

Cultural, sporting, and artistic activities are blended into a vibrant experiential space, spreading the spirit of friendship between the people of the two countries.

The Vietnam-Japan Festival is also an opportunity for the Japanese community living and working in Da Nang to "return home".

Shota Sato shared: “Coming to the festival, I felt the Japanese atmosphere from the food , art, martial arts… I felt like I was coming home.”

Within the framework of the festival, the conference "Meeting Japan in Da Nang: Promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Japan" and the workshop "Connecting and Business to Promote Japanese Tourism in Da Nang in 2025" are important highlights, demonstrating the profound political and diplomatic significance of the event.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, ITO Naoki, expressed his delight at having visited Da Nang three times in just one month: as a judge at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, attending the opening ceremony of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2025, and the Vietnam-Japan Festival 2025.

Ambassador Ito Naoki expressed his belief that this year's Vietnam-Japan Festival will continue to contribute to strengthening and expanding the friendly relations and cooperation between Japan and Da Nang in particular, and Vietnam in general.

"This year, the number of Japanese businesses, organizations, and localities participating in the festival is higher than in previous years, demonstrating their interest and expectations for cooperation with Da Nang in many fields."

The resumption of the direct Osaka-Da Nang flight by Vietnam Airlines is a positive sign to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Currently, there are nearly 300 Japanese investment projects in Da Nang with a total capital of over 1.2 billion USD.

With the establishment of the Free Trade Zone, Da Nang is expected to further promote bilateral economic cooperation in the future.

"I believe and hope that the new city of Da Nang, after its merger with Quang Nam province, will develop into an even more 'Great Da Nang'," Ambassador Ito Naoki said.

Historical connection

Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations in September 1973. Over the past 50 years, Vietnam and Japan have become increasingly important partners in many fields.

Along with the expansion of economic relations, cultural cooperation and exchanges between the people of the two countries have also been strongly promoted. Similarities in culture and friendly personalities have created a natural bond between Vietnamese and Japanese people.

Building upon the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, the cooperative relationship between Da Nang and its Japanese partners and localities is continuously being deepened and expanded.

From investment, trade, and tourism to cultural exchange and education, together we build strong bridges of connection, contributing to enhancing Da Nang's position on the regional and international map.

To date, Da Nang city has established friendly relations and implemented cooperation programs with more than 20 provinces and cities in Japan. Among them, Da Nang has signed memoranda of understanding to establish official friendly relations and cooperation with four cities: Kawasaki, Sakai, Yokohama, and Kisarazu.

In Da Nang, the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association of Da Nang City actively coordinates with relevant agencies and units to organize many meaningful people-to-people diplomatic activities with Japan.

From participating in and coordinating the reception of Japanese delegations visiting and working in Da Nang to explore investment opportunities, to cooperation in education and training, culture and arts, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges in Da Nang.

According to Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, the Vietnam-Japan Festival is taking place in a special historical context, as Da Nang city has just been established.

The integration of cultural and historical spaces between Da Nang city and Quang Nam province, including the Hoi An heritage site – the origin of trade relations between Vietnam and Japan more than 400 years ago – will create a foundation for future festivals to expand in scale, elevate their organization, and contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/cau-noi-bang-giao-viet-nhat-3265605.html