Opening Ceremony of the 11th Vietnam-Japan Festival in Ho Chi Minh City

On the morning of March 7th, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee held the opening ceremony of the 11th Vietnam-Japan Festival in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026 at Area B, 23/9 Park, Ben Thanh Ward. The festival takes place over two days, March 7th and 8th, attracting a large number of local people and tourists.

Young people check in while participating in the Vietnam-Japan Festival at 23/9 Park on the morning of March 7th.

With the theme "Holding Hands Together, Children - Earth - Future," the festival continues to affirm its role as a typical cultural exchange event between Vietnam and Japan. At the same time, it is also an important diplomatic activity aimed at strengthening friendly relations and promoting cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Japanese localities, organizations, and businesses in many fields such as economics , education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Within the framework of the festival, numerous trade, culinary , and tourism exchange activities were organized, along with programs promoting products from businesses of both countries. In addition, there were cultural and artistic exchange programs between Vietnam and Japan, seminars on Vietnam-Japan tourism trends, and a seminar on "Developing Human Resources for a Sustainable Future and Towards an Olympic City Vision."

Japanese food and beverage products are being introduced to the public.

This year's festival is the largest ever, featuring over 300 booths from Vietnamese and Japanese businesses. It's an opportunity for businesses to showcase their products, seek partners, and expand cooperation opportunities.

Many new activities were also organized to attract young people, such as the first-ever COS-MIC ASIA in JVF event at the festival; a traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) design competition; a kimono design workshop; the first YOSAKOI festival; and performances and exchanges of Vietnamese and Japanese traditional music.

Japanese cultural spaces attract young people to come together and experience them.

This area displays typical Japanese household products.

In addition, the festival also features sports and community activities such as skateboarding, breaking, Double Dutch jump rope, BMX cycling demonstrations, and a friendly cycling program. These activities contribute to creating a vibrant atmosphere and strengthening the bond between the people of the two countries.

The cultural and artistic exchange program also features the participation of many Vietnamese artists such as singers Dong Nhi, B Ray, Captain Boy, along with guest band from Japan, Psychic Fever From Exile Tribe, promising to deliver vibrant and captivating performances.

Many stalls also offer visitors the experience of trying on Japanese kimonos.

The festival also includes stalls showcasing OCOP (One Commune One Product) products from Ho Chi Minh City.

Currently, Japan is one of Vietnam's leading economic partners, ranking first in ODA funding and labor cooperation, and is among the largest investors and trading partners. After more than half a century of developing diplomatic relations, Vietnam-Japan cooperation has become a model of effective cooperation in many fields.

Before the festival takes place, there will also be a friendly cycling event on the streets.

Against the backdrop of the two countries upgrading their relationship to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World" since 2023, the Vietnam-Japan Festival in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to continue spreading the message of sustainable cooperation, aiming towards a green future and shared prosperity.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-de-quan-tam/khai-mac-le-hoi-viet-nhat-lan-thu-11-tai-tp-ho-chi-minh-20260307112911461.htm