Hello! Saitama festival to mark 50 years of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties

This is the first such festival to be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, in collaboration with the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan, the authorities of Saitama Prefecture, and a number of associations and businesses of the two countries.

The highlight of the festival will be the re-enactment of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations of Vietnamese people in Japan that feature star-shaped lanterns, lion dances, and moon cakes.

Furthermore, more than 60 stalls will be set up to promote Vietnamese cuisine which has become an indispensable part among Japanese people, including phở (noodles), bánh mì (baguette), bún (vermicelli), nem cuốn (spring rolls), bánh xèo (pancakes), and coffee.

Moreover, folk games like shuttlecock, tug-of-war, and traditional art performances such as Chầu văn (Vietnamese ritual singing) will appear for the first time at the Vietnam Festival.

Vietnamese singers, including Hong Nhung, Quang Dung, and Ngo Kien Huy, along with Vietnamese rock band KURROCK based in Japan, are expected to impress audiences with art performances on this occasion.

The festival is expected to help Japanese people to experience the unique culture of Vietnam through food, music, and traditional arts in order to better understand the beauty of the country, and at the same time showcase the friendliness of Vietnamese people, contributing to deepening the relations between the two countries, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu.

Vietnam Festival “Xin chào! Saitama” (Hello! Saitama), the first of its kind in Japan, is expected to attract thousands of visitors.