Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange: Elevating Hoi An as a vibrant cultural and tourist destination

The 21st Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange Event in 2025 is scheduled to take place from December 26th to 28th, 2025 in the Hoi An Old Town area ( Da Nang ).

According to the organizational plan recently issued by the Da Nang City People's Committee, the 21st Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange Event is expected to contribute to enhancing the image of Da Nang-Hoi An as a vibrant cultural, historical, and tourist destination.

The event aims to spread the cultural beauty of the ancient city of Hoi An to domestic and international tourists; to strengthen friendship and honor the long-standing cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

This is also an opportunity to promote exchanges and cooperation in many fields such as attracting investment, trade, tourism, and culture with localities in Japan. It will help create interesting experiential activities for locals and tourists, contributing to the promotion and development of tourism in the ancient town of Hoi An in particular, and Da Nang city in general.

Specifically, the three-day event will feature many special activities such as a grand opening ceremony with performances by famous Vietnamese and Japanese art troupes and singers; a traditional Japanese Futondaiko procession; a reenactment of the procession of Princess Ngoc Hoa and merchant Araki Sotaro; calligraphy and Sakai tea ceremony demonstrations; street art performances; and a Cosplay competition.

In addition, there will be activities such as exhibitions showcasing cultural exchange between Hoi An and Japan; Vietnamese-Japanese Bonsai art exchanges; a Vietnamese-Japanese cultural experience space; booths promoting tourism, providing information, offering culinary exchanges, selling Japanese products, accessories, and comics; visiting and experiencing "Hizen Ceramics - Patterns Telling Stories"; and visiting "Ancient Japanese Relics"...

The 21st Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange event aims not only to create a unique cultural and tourism festival but also to open up many opportunities for long-term cooperation, making a positive contribution to local socio-economic development.

Visitors explore and learn about the exhibition of books and photos on cultural exchange activities between Hoi An and Japan. (Photo: Trinh Bang Nhiem/VNA)

The Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange first took place in 2003 and has been held 20 times to date. With each event, the programs have become increasingly elaborate, reflecting both traditional and modern characteristics. Many activities have become unique hallmarks and distinctive cultural and tourism products of the locality.

Over 400 years ago, thanks to the open diplomatic policies and promotion of foreign trade by the Vietnamese and Japanese governments at the time, Japanese merchants crossed the vast ocean to trade in Hoi An, and were allowed to establish their own neighborhood for residence and commerce.

The presence of Japanese merchants played a significant role in the prosperity and vibrancy of Hoi An, an international trading port city. The legacy and foundation of the economic and cultural exchange between Hoi An and Japan in the past have contributed to the flow and development of friendly relations between Hoi An and Japan in the new era.

Building upon the deep ties of the past, in recent decades, especially since the 1990 International Conference on the Ancient City of Hoi An, many Japanese agencies, organizations, managers, researchers, and close friends have come to Hoi An to collaborate on scientific research regarding the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and environmental protection; invest in economic development, and train human resources, all of which have yielded many positive results.

Notably, in 2017, the "Vietnam-Japan Cultural Space" was inaugurated, featuring a replica of the Japanese-style boat – a gift from Nagasaki Prefecture – displayed in the Old Japanese Quarter of Hoi An Ancient Town.

In 2024, the International Cultural Institute of Showa Women's University donated a model of the Japanese Bridge to the Hoi An Museum, and at the same time, Vietnam held an inauguration ceremony for the "major restoration" of the Japanese Bridge.

A Japanese artisan demonstrates the steps of preparing the Tea Ceremony at an exchange program. (Photo: Trinh Bang Nhiem/VNA)

These are testaments to the deep and enduring friendship between Vietnam and Japan, which has lasted from the past to the present and will remain strong in the future.

Located on the banks of the picturesque Hoai River, 30km from Da Nang city, the ancient town of Hoi An has been a popular and attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists for many years.

Established and developed since the 16th century, Hoi An was once one of the busiest international trading ports in the region.

From the 16th century onwards, this was a hub for goods from merchants from China, Japan, the Netherlands, India, Spain, and other countries.

Therefore, the architectural works and cultural values of Hoi An ancient town are a convergence of many Eastern and Western cultures.

The ancient town of Hoi An is famous for its architecture, typical of a traditional Southeast Asian trading port, and it remains almost completely preserved to this day.

Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and has been repeatedly voted by prestigious organizations and magazines around the world as a leading urban cultural destination in Asia, one of the top 15 best cities in Asia, and one of the most popular destinations in the world.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/giao-luu-van-hoa-hoi-an-nhat-ban-nang-tam-hoi-an-nhu-mot-diem-den-van-hoa-du-lich-song-dong-post1076301.vnp