The Vietnamese – Japanese Festival is a comprehensive cultural diplomacy event with Japan held in Da Nang city. Originally known as the Vietnam – Japan Cultural Exchange Festival, it has been an annual event since 2014. This festival aims to promote and deepen the cooperative and friendly relations between Vietnam and Japan in general, and between Da Nang and Japanese partners in particular, through cultural promotions, impressive and attractive artistic performances from both countries, and a variety of accompanying programs. Additionally, the festival serves as an effective bridge for on-site promotion activities in investment, trade, tourism, education, employment, etc., through seminars, promotion conferences, and meetings between partners from both sides. It also plays a role in enhancing cultural exchanges and public diplomacy, thereby promoting the images and cultures of both Vietnam and Japan.
After eight seasons, the festival has left a positive impression on the city’s residents and visitors and has garnered significant attention from Vietnamese and Japanese partners. Notably, in 2023, marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, the festival attracted over 35,000 domestic and international visitors, becoming one of the most prominent diplomatic events in Da Nang that year.
“The Vietnamese – Japanese Festival in Da Nang 2024 is one of the city’s significant diplomatic events. Building on the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan in general, and between Da Nang and various Japanese localities and organizations in particular, this year’s festival promises to further deepen the friendship between the two nations and two peoples, continuing the remarkable success of previous editions. I am confident that the festival will embody the spirit and objectives of enhancing the Da Nang – Japan cooperative relationship; effectively implementing promotional activities in investment, trade, tourism, education, and employment; and significantly contributing to cultural exchanges and public diplomacy, thereby strengthening the bond between the Vietnamese and Japanese peoples” said Ms. Le Thi Thu Hanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Da Nang city and Deputy Head of the Festival Organizing Committee.
“I am delighted that the Vietnamese – Japanese Festival has been held in Da Nang for the 9th time with increasing scale and quality. Various rich and unique activities organized within the festival framework will help Vietnamese people better understand Japanese culture and vice versa, fostering a greater affection among Japanese people for their sincere Vietnamese friends. As the Consul General of Japan in Da Nang, I will do my utmost during my term to elevate this relationship further, enabling the peoples of both countries to understand each other better and to build a friendly, close-knit, and supportive relationship together in the future. Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the People’s Committee of Da Nang city and the city’s residents for their efforts in preparing for this event” said Mr. Mori Takero, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang.
Vietnamese – Japanese Festival Schedule
July 4 (Thursday)
09:30 – 11:10 Japan Tourism Promotion Seminar
Location: Meeting Room 2, 2nd Floor, Da Nang Administrative Center
Organized by JNTO, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism
16:00 – 22:00 Exhibition Activities:
– Exhibition of cooperation achievements between Da Nang and Japanese partners
– Booths showcasing cultural characteristics, products, and services of both countries
– Exhibition of children’s paintings from cooperating Japanese cities
Location: Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, with 80 booths
17:00 – 18:30 Reception for Japanese Guests Attending the Festival
Location: Nalod Hotel (tentative)
Organized by Da Nang People’s Committee
19:00 – 20:00 Opening Ceremony of the Festival
Location: Main Stage at East Sea Park
Attended by leaders of Da Nang People’s Committee, Embassy, and Japanese Consulate General
20:00 – 20:30 Bon Odori and Bamboo Dance Exchange
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Participated by the Japanese community in Central Vietnam, guests, and festival attendees
20:30 – 22:00 Vietnamese – Japanese Cultural and Artistic Exchange
Location: Main Stage
Performances by Vietnamese and Japanese artists
July 5 (Friday)
09:00 – 12:00 Da Nang – Japan Meeting: Prospects for Cooperation After Upgrading to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World
– General Session
– Session 1: Attracting Investment and Cooperation in High Technology, IT, Digital Technology, Green Technology, Semiconductors
– Session 2: Promoting Human Resources Cooperation between Da Nang and Japan
Location: Hall 1, 2nd Floor, Da Nang Administrative Center
Organized by Da Nang People’s Committee, Japanese Consulate General in Da Nang, Department of Foreign Affairs, IPA, Management Board of Hi-tech and Industrial Parks, Department of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs, Business Associations, and Japanese and Da Nang Enterprises
16:00 – 22:00 Exhibition and Booth Activities
Location: Festival Area
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, with 80 booths
17:30 – 18:00 Introduction of Japanese Localities with Cooperative Relations
Location: Festival Area
Presented by Japanese localities
18:00 – 19:00 Vietnamese – Japanese Cultural and Artistic Exchange
Location: Main Stage at East Sea Park
Performances by Vietnamese and Japanese artists
19:00 – 20:00 Bassist Rayji Artist Exchange
Location: Main Stage at East Sea Park
Performance by Japanese artist Rayji
20:00 – 22:00 Japanese Hiphop Flashmob Performance and Exchange
Location: Main Stage at East Sea Park
Performance by Kadokawa Dreams dance group
July 6 (Saturday)
07:00 – 09:00 Vietnamese – Japanese Youth Football Day
Location: Sports Center, Son Tra Cultural Center (tentative)
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, Son Tra District People’s Committee, Kawasaki Frontale Club
09:00 – 11:00 Japanese Tea Ceremony and Vietnamese Tea Exchange
Location: APEC Park, Hai Chau District
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sakai City Government, Double-D Tea Brand
16:00 – 20:00 Exhibition and Booth Activities
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, with 80 booths
16:00 – 18:00 Japanese Baseball Experience
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, JCCID
18:00 – 19:30 Japanese Wrestling Performance and Exchange
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, JCCID
19:30 – 21:00 Vietnamese – Japanese Cultural and Artistic Exchange
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Performances by Vietnamese and Japanese artists
21:00 – 22:00 Bassist Rayji Artist Exchange
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Performance by artist Rayji
July 7 (Sunday)
16:00 – 22:00 Exhibition and Booth Activities
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, with 80 booths
15:30 – 17:30 Japanese Baseball Experience
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, JCCID
17:30 – 19:00 Japanese Wrestling Performance and Exchange
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, JCCID
19:00 – 19:30 Bon Odori and Bamboo Dance Exchange
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Participated by the Japanese community in Central Vietnam and the audience
19:30 – 21:30 Cosplay Contest Finals
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, Da Nang Youth Union
21:30 – 22:00 Cosplay Award Ceremony and Festival Closing
Location: Main Festival Area at East Sea Park
Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Culture and Sports, Da Nang Youth Union
