Opening Ceremony of the 21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange

DNO - On the evening of December 26th, at the Hoi An Sculpture Garden, the Da Nang City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Japanese Consulate General in Da Nang, inaugurated the "21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange" event.

Traditional Japanese drum performance. Photo: HOANG LIEN

Attending the event were Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang City People's Committee; and Mr. Mori Takero, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang .

The 21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange event, taking place over three days from December 26th to 28th, 2025, includes a series of vibrant and unique international cultural exchange activities to serve the people and tourists.

The traditional Sakai palanquin procession ceremony. Photo: HOANG LIEN

Over the three days of the event, visitors will be immersed in a series of activities such as: an exhibition of traditional Japanese dolls; a traditional Sakai procession; a reenactment of the procession of Princess Ngoc Hoa and merchant Araki Sotaro; performances of traditional Japanese drums along with street art performances, calligraphy demonstrations, and Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations...

Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi delivered the opening speech at the event. Photo: HOANG LIEN

In addition, there will be Vietnamese-Japanese Bonsai art exchange activities, a tour program "Traces of Ancient Japan," an exhibition of photos showcasing cultural exchange between Hoi An and Japan, an experiential activity "Hizen Ceramics - Patterns Tell Stories," along with food stalls, tourism promotion activities, folk games, and more.

Mr. Mori Takero, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang, speaks at the event. Photo: HOANG LIEN

In her opening remarks, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi stated that Hoi An was once a bustling international trading port in the 16th and 17th centuries, a distinctive symbol of the cultural exchange between East and West, the origin of the relationship of exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, which has been nurtured over time.

Over more than 20 years of organization, the "Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange" event has become a strong bridge connecting and contributing to strengthening understanding, trust, and affection between the people of the two countries.

City leaders present flowers to the sponsoring organizations. Photo: HOANG LIEN

In particular, in 2025, the 21st "Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange" event will take place in a new setting as the ancient town of Hoi An becomes part of Da Nang city. This opens up new opportunities for cultural and artistic exchange, tourism development, and economic cooperation between Da Nang and Japanese partners and localities in this new phase of development.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/khai-mac-giao-luu-van-hoa-hoi-an-nhat-ban-lan-thu-21-3316995.html