Many unique activities will take place at the Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange 2025.

VHO - The 21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange event will take place from December 26-28 in Hoi An Ancient Town, Da Nang city, promising to attract a large number of tourists and locals to participate and join in the vibrant atmosphere of the year-end festival season.

The 21st Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange will take place from December 26-28, 2025.

From December 26-28, the 21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange event will be held in Hoi An Ancient Town, featuring a series of vibrant and unique international cultural exchange activities.

Many exciting activities will be organized during the three-day exchange program.

This is also one of a series of highlight activities aimed at serving the people and tourists during the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 celebrations.

After 20 editions, the Hoi An-Japan cultural exchange has become a prominent annual cultural event at the Hoi An heritage site.

First initiated in 2003, and now held 20 times, the "21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange" has become a prominent annual cultural event, contributing to strengthening the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Japan; at the same time, it continues to affirm the role of Hoi An - a global creative heritage city - in the journey of integration and sustainable development.

The activities at the event contributed to strengthening the relationship and cooperation between Hoi An, Da Nang and Japanese partners, especially in the field of culture.

Notably, this year's event is being held in the context of Hoi An Ancient Town becoming part of the new Da Nang city, promising to open up many new opportunities for exchange, cooperation, and development between the locality and Japanese partners, especially in the cultural field.

The event was directed by the Da Nang City People's Committee; chaired by the City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang; and implemented by the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center in collaboration with Japanese localities, organizations, and individuals, as well as relevant departments, agencies, and localities in the city.

Activities showcasing the unique culture of Japan.

The "Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange" program in 2025 will harmoniously combine activities deeply rooted in traditional values ​​with contemporary creativity.

Tourists participate in activities to connect, interact, and experience Japanese culture, as well as the culture of Hoi An and Da Nang.

Accordingly, the opening ceremony will take place at 7:30 PM on December 26th at An Hoi Sculpture Garden, with the participation of delegates, artists, artisans, art troupes, and domestic and international tourists.

Reenacting the procession of Princess Ngoc Hoa and merchant Araki Sotaro

Over the three days of the event, visitors will be immersed in a series of unique activities performed by many artists and artisans from both countries, 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 - a historical story symbolizing Vietnamese-Japanese friendship from the 17th century, and a performance of traditional Japanese drumming.

Introducing the exhibition of traditional Japanese dolls.

The program includes street art performances, traditional art displays, a cosplay competition, calligraphy demonstrations, and Japanese tea ceremony performances by artists from Sakai City.

The event will include a Cosplay contest.

In addition, spaces showcasing Vietnamese and Japanese culture and tourism at An Hoi Sculpture Garden, the Japanese Cultural Exhibition House, the Trade Ceramics Museum, and historical sites in the Old Quarter will offer visitors many unique experiences.

Experience "Hizen Ceramics - Patterns Tell Stories" at the Museum of Trade Ceramics.

Regular activities include: Vietnamese-Japanese Bonsai art exchange, "Traces of Ancient Japan" tour program, exhibition of photos on Hoi An - Japan cultural exchange, and experiential activities such as "Hizen Ceramics - Patterns Tell Stories".

Activities involving interaction and participation in traditional Hoi An and Japanese folk games between tourists and locals.

In addition, there will be food stalls, tourism promotion, product and Japanese popular culture exchanges, folk games, and cultural experiences with countless free gifts taking place throughout the festival to create a vibrant, engaging, and lively atmosphere.

Street art exchange

With a history of over 400 years of trade and close ties, Hoi An was once a bustling international trading port, the birthplace of the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Japan.

In the new context, with the ancient town of Hoi An now part of Da Nang city, Hoi An still retains its core values ​​as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and simultaneously remains a Creative City in the field of Handicrafts and Folk Arts.

Tourists enjoy experiencing the art of Japanese paper folding at the Japanese Cultural Exhibition House in Hoi An.

The "Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange" event is therefore not only a bridge between the past and the present, but also a vivid testament to the enduring vitality of heritage in the new era - where traditional culture is illuminated by a spirit of creativity, innovation, and international integration.

Traditional Japanese art performances in the setting of Hoi An's old town.

Now in its 21st year, the event continues to demonstrate the spirit of sustainable cooperation between Hoi An, Da Nang, Vietnam and its Japanese partners, providing an opportunity for both sides to celebrate cultural values, promote tourism, and foster people-to-people exchanges; while also spreading the image of a friendly, creative Hoi An that always welcomes friends from all over the world.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/nhieu-hoat-dong-dac-sac-tai-giao-luu-van-hoa-hoi-an-nhat-ban-2025-187296.html