VAS ASSOCIATION COOPERATES WITH THE VIETNAMESE EMBASSY IN JAPAN TO ORGANIZE THE VIETNAMESE FESTIVAL "HELLO SAITAMA": RECREATING VIETNAM IN THE HEART OF JAPAN

On September 1-3, 2023, Vietnam Festival - "Hello Saitama" was held in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. This is the first Festival held under the sponsorship of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, Saitama provincial government, businesses, Vietnamese Association in Saitama and a number of other associations of the two countries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

The main theme of the Vietnam Festival - "Hello Saitama" is "Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival" with the purpose of recreating the Mid-Autumn Festival space with star lights, lion dances, the taste of moon cakes... to come to you. Japanese people and the Vietnamese community in Japan. In addition, more than 40 booths are arranged, providing participants with a unique Vietnamese culinary space through dishes that have become an indispensable part of Vietnamese culture such as pho, banh mi. , vermicelli, spring rolls, banh xeo, coffee... All specialties from all three regions of Vietnam brought to the festival have helped people far from home have the opportunity to enjoy the beloved culinary flavors of their homeland. 

Experiential activities at the booth are recreated at the Festival space

At the festival, folk games such as shuttlecock, sack jumping...; National traditional art performance programs such as: Chan Van singing, lion dancing... appearing for the first time at the Vietnam Festival have brought many surprising and interesting elements to Vietnamese audiences and international friends. in Japan.

Cultural and traditional activities are recreated at the Festival

In addition, famous singers such as Hong Nhung, Quang Dung, Ngo Kien Huy, young band active in Japan Kurrock... also participated in performances with works by musician Trinh Cong Son, and concert performances. Mixing Japanese drums represents exchange between two cultures.

Artists participating in performances at the Vietnam Festival "Hello! Saitama"

After 3 days of the event, the Vietnamese Association in Saitama is proud to be the companion of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan to successfully organize the Vietnamese Festival "Hello! Saitama". With a mission for the community, the Association strives to bring the traditional cultural values of the Vietnamese people closer to international friends. 

Summarizing the event, traditional cultural activities such as: adoration of literature, mandarins, traditional musical instruments and other artistic activities were clearly portrayed, attracting a large number of international friends and the Vietnamese community. care about. The event took place successfully with the cohesion and contributions of many individuals and groups and received attention from domestic and foreign media units. The results have spread to more than 16 million people on all platforms and deeply impressed the press unit in Japan.

Modern Vietnamese Association in Saitama also said that in 2024 the Vietnamese Festival "Hello! Saitama" promises to continue to bring unique cultural experiences at the event, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. This is an important event marking the promotion of Vietnamese cultural features to international friends as well as creating favorable opportunities to connect the Vietnamese community living in Japan.