The 2015 Japan Festival to be held in Ho Chi Minh City is a culturalactivity that strengthens the traditional bilateral ties between the twocountries, said a city senior official.

Hua NgocThuan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee during areception on April 8 for Takebe Tsutomu, Head of the organising boardfor the third Japan Festival in Vietnam, spoke highly of the event,which is scheduled to be held in the city in November, confirming thecity will facilitate any of the components required to make the event asuccess.

Relevant municipal agencies will proactively collaboratewith Japan to design a blueprint for the event, Thuan said, adding thatthe city will ensure the event’s security and take measures to preventfire and traffic congestion during the festival.

A wide range ofcultural activities will take place at the event such as music concerts,parades and traditional cuisine options to introduce Japanese cultureto Vietnamese people, said Takebe Tsutomu, who is also special advisorto the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance.

Heexpressed his hope of tightening the friendship between Japan andVietnam and believed that with support from the southern Vietnamese hub,the event will serve as a catalyst to promote cultural understandingbetween the two nations.

The Japan Festival wasorganised for the first time in 2013 on the occasion of the 40 thanniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan,attracting as many as 65,000 visitors.

Last year’sevent, themed “Cool Japan”, drew the attention of a large crowd of localresidents and tourists to enjoy folk dances, Cosplay performances andtraditional Japanese cuisine.-VNA