Japanese traditions and festivals

Visitors at the cherry blossom festival (Photo: VNA)   Hanoi (VNA) – The Japanese cherry blossom festival in Hanoi will last for one more day, until 10pm of April 1 instead of March 31, said the organisers. The decision was made based on the quality of the flowers on display as well as increasing demand for cherry blossom viewing of local people and tourists. According to the organisers, since its beginning on March 29, the festival has attracted an estimated nearly 1 million visitors. Held for the fourth consecutive year, the festival is co-organised by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, featuring some 20,000 cherry blossom branches and 100 cherry trees of Japan, along with hundreds of local flowers. During the festival, visitors have the change to enjoy Yosakoi (a unique style of street dance performed by large teams), Japanese cuisine, Shogi (Japanese chess), and Kendama (literally “sword and ball”, a traditional … [Read more...] about Japanese cherry blossom festival extended for one day

At the 2018 Japan Cherry Blossom Festival (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Stunning sakuras will be the highlight of the 2019 Japan Cherry Blossom Festival, which will come to Ly Thai To Park beside Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi from March 29-31. Some 20,000 branches of Japanese cherry blossoms will be displayed at the festival, while 100 trees will be taken to Hanoi for plantation during the event, heard a press conference held on February 20.   Many of Vietnam’s eye-catching flowers – such as moth orchids, cybidium orchids, lilies, and poinsettias – will also be exhibited at the festival, which is jointly held by the Hanoi People’s Committee and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. According to Director of Hanoi city’s Department of Culture and Sports To Van Dong, the capital city expects to develop the event into an attractive cultural and tourism product to serve local residents and visitors. Thus, the organising board has focused on … [Read more...] about Japanese cherry blossom festival brings global wonders to Hanoi

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong  speaks at the press conference on the Vietnam Festival 2018 (Photo: VNA) Tokyo (VNA) – The Vietnam Festival 2018 will take place at the Yoyogi Park in Tokyo between 10 am and 8 pm on May 19 and 20. Speaking at a press conference on the event, which was held in Tokyo on April 23, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong said the festival is part of activities in celebration of 45 years of the two countries’ diplomatic relations. It is an opportunity for overseas Vietnamese to remember their home country and for Japanese friends to learn more about Vietnam, the diplomat noted. After a decade, the Vietnam Festival has become a big draw to both Vietnamese and Japanese living around Tokyo. In 2017, the number of attendees amounted to 180,000. Also at the press conference, General Secretary of the festival’s organising board Aoyagi Youichirou highlighted the significant meaning of the event to … [Read more...] about Vietnam Festival 2018 to run in Japan in May