Visitors from Ho Chi Minh City and its surrounding areas flocked to theVietnam-Japan Cultural Festival, held in the city on September 15, for abetter understanding of the Japanese people and culture, especially theflourishing friendship between the two countries.

Chairman of the HCM City Vietnam–Japan Friendship Association NguyenCong Tanh described the event as one of the city’s activities to markthe 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countriesand the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year.

Thefestival included various traditional cultural performances of the twonations, introducing their unique cuisines and Japan’s Haiku poetry, teaceremony, and Yosakoi dance.

In addition, ondisplay at the event were 50 oil paintings by Chairman of the HCM CityEsperanto Association (HEA) Tran Quan Ngoc which depict Japan and itspeople.

On the occasion, the Japan-VietnamFriendship Society of Hiroshima handed 300,000 yen (around 3,000 USD) tothe Sponsoring Association for Poor Patients of the city andlocal schools.

Vietnam and Japan have seencloser ties in the fields of politics, business and culture over thepast time, fostering exchanges and mutual understanding between the twopeoples, said Japanese Consul General in HCM City Hida Harumitsu at thefestival.-VNA