This year’s festival, to be organised by JVF Executive Committee, underscores sustainable development and a shared vision for prosperity between Vietnam and Japan, particularly between Ho Chi Minh City and its Japanese partners.

Speaking at the press briefing, Pham Dut Diem, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, noted that after more than half a century of cooperation, Vietnam–Japan relations have become a model of effective and sincere partnership with strong growth prospects.

The festival takes place against the backdrop of the two countries upgrading ties in November 2023 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World, a milestone that has created fresh momentum for deeper and more substantive collaboration, he said.

Japan is currently Vietnam’s leading provider of official development assistance (ODA) and labour cooperation partner, its third-largest foreign investor and fourth-largest bilateral trade partner. In the 2025–2026 period, both sides are advancing the “Japan–Vietnam Joint Initiative in a New Era,” focusing on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green transition and sustainable supply chains.

A notable symbol of bilateral cooperation is Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien), now operating stably and widely seen as a successful example of technology transfer between the two countries. According to a late-2025 survey by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Vietnam remains the most attractive destination in ASEAN for Japanese businesses, with more than 58% planning to expand operations.

Organisers confirmed that JVF 2026 will feature over 300 booths from Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises - the largest of its kind since the festival’s inception in 2013. Last year’s event drew approximately 430,000 visitors.

Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to flourish in 2026.

“I believe that in 2026, relations between our two countries will continue to deepen further. People-to-people exchanges form the foundation for building this close partnership,” he said.

He revealed that many Japanese organisations and delegations are expected to visit Ho Chi Minh City during the festival with the aim of strengthening connections. He hoped the event would serve as a catalyst to attract broader public interest and further consolidate the friendship between the two peoples.

Beyond trade and investment promotion, this year’s festival places strong emphasis on community engagement. Activities include tourism and business exchange programmes, cultural and art performances, a seminar on Vietnam–Japan tourism trends, and a workshop on high-quality human resource development toward a sustainable future and an Olympic city vision.

A major highlight is the participation of prominent Vietnamese artists Dong Nhi, B Ray and Captain Boy, alongside Japanese boy band Psychic Fever from Exile Tribe. The group, formed in 2019 and consisting of seven members, will perform at the festival for the third consecutive year. Organisers also announced a special collaborative performance between Dong Nhi and Psychic Fever.

Additional activities include Bon Odori dance exchanges, cosplay performances under the COS-MIC ASIA programme, sports exchanges such as skateboarding and indoor BMX, an Ao dai (traditional long dress) design contest, kimono workshops, and a friendship cycling event.

The festival will primarily take place at September 23 Park on March 7-8, with select programmes to be held in the expanded metropolitan area.

Since its launch in 2013 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the Vietnam–Japan Festival has grown into one of the largest people-to-people exchange events in Vietnam. Organisers expect the 2026 edition to further strengthen mutual understanding, promote economic cooperation and reinforce the long-term friendship between the two countries.

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