CONNECTING HERITAGE – STRENGTHENING VIETNAM-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP

The 21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange Event, directed by the Da Nang City People's Committee and chaired by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang and other relevant units, is scheduled to take place from December 26th to 28th, 2025 in the Hoi An Old Town, with the main locations being the An Hoi Sculpture Garden, the Japanese Bridge Arch, and the Hoi An East and Hoi An West wards.

The event aims to spread the cultural values ​​of Hoi An Ancient Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site – to domestic and international tourists; strengthen friendship and honor the enduring cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. Simultaneously, it is an opportunity to enhance cooperation in investment, trade, tourism, and culture with Japanese localities, contributing to the promotion and development of Hoi An - Da Nang tourism in the new era.

PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

1. Opening Ceremony of the 21st Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange, Da Nang 2025

• Time: 7:30 PM, December 26, 2025.
• Location: An Hoi Sculpture Garden Courtyard.

Content: Opening ceremony; performance of traditional Japanese drums; artistic performances by Vietnamese and Japanese delegations; reception for international delegations.

2. Traditional Artistic Exchange and Performance Program

• Time: 7:30 PM, December 27 and 28, 2025.
• Location: An Hoi Sculpture Garden Courtyard.

Content: Yosakoi dance, Cosplay, Bon dance (Japan), Cham drum dance (Vietnam), and street art performances.

3. Traditional Futondaiko Procession Performance

• Time: 3:30 PM on December 27th and 28th, 2025.
• Location: Hoi An Old Town.

Content: Reenactment of the Futondaiko procession ritual from Sakai City (Japan) through the streets of Hoi An.

4. Reenactment of the "Procession of Princess Ngoc Hoa and Merchant Araki Sotaro"

• Time: 5:00 PM on December 26th and 27th, 2025.
• Location: Old Quarter and the area around the Japanese Bridge.

Content: A reenactment of a traditional procession, showcasing the Vietnamese-Japanese cultural exchange in the 16th century.

5. Sakai Calligraphy and Tea Ceremony Performance

• Time: 10:00 AM on December 27th and 28th, 2025.
• Location: Cam Pho Palace (52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai).

Content: Sakai artisans will perform and guide participants through the art of Japanese tea ceremony and calligraphy.

6. Street Art Exchange

• Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, December 26, 2025.
• Location: Japanese Bridge Arch.

Content: Performances of folk songs, traditional musical instruments, Japanese Bon drums, Vietnamese folk dances, and interaction with the Terakoya Japanese language learning group.

7. Cosplay Contest

• Time: 4:30 PM, December 28, 2025.
• Location: An Hoi Sculpture Garden courtyard.

Content: Performances of Japanese manga and anime characters in costume, and interaction among young people who love Japanese culture.

REGULAR ACTIVITIES

1. Exhibition of Images of Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange

• Time: December 26–28, 2025.
• Location: Japanese Bridge Arch.

Content: Displaying images of events over the years, and images of tourism and culture in Hoi An and Da Nang.

2. Vietnam-Japan Bonsai Art Exchange

• Time: December 26-28, 2025.
• Location: An Hoi Sculpture Garden.

Content: Exhibition and exchange of bonsai techniques between Vietnamese and Japanese artisans.

3. Vietnam-Japan Cultural Experience Space

• Time: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM on December 26-28, 2025.
• Location: Japanese Cultural Exhibition House (6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai).

Content: Origami folding, wearing yukata and ao dai, playing folk games, experiencing the tea ceremony.

4. Tourism – Food – Cosplay – OCOP Booths

• Time: 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM on December 26-28, 2025.
• Location: An Hoi Sculpture Garden and Song Hoai Square.

Content: Booths promoting tourism, displaying Japanese and Vietnamese products, selling comics, accessories, bonsai, ceramics, and Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine (sushi, sashimi, etc.).

5. Experience “Hizen Ceramics – Patterns Tell Stories”

• Time: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM on December 26-28, 2025.
• Location: Mau Dich Ceramic Museum (80 Tran Phu).

Content: Visit and learn about Hizen ceramic patterns, draw and paint traditional motifs on ceramic products.

6. "Travels to Ancient Japan" Tour Program

• Date: December 26–28, 2025.
• Location: The Old Town and Japanese merchant historical sites in Hoi An Dong Ward.

Content: Visit sites preserving Japanese cultural heritage such as the Banjiro merchant house, Gusokukun, and Yajirobei.

The event serves as a bridge connecting heritage – a cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan that has continued from the 16th century to the present day. More than just a cultural festival, it is a vivid testament to the enduring friendship, close ties, and cooperation between the two nations in the future.

This article uses images taken by the Photography & Application Cooperative (PPAC) in collaboration with the Da Nang City Tourism Promotion Center.

DA NANG CITY TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER