(QNO) - The 19th Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange 2023 was officially opened in Hoi An city, Quang Nam province on the evening of August 5.
Present at the event were Chairman of the Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee Le Tri Thanh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Vietnam Yamada Takio, Japanese Consul General in Da Nang city Yakabe Yoshinori, Deputy Chief of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Representative Office in Vietnam Shinoda Takanobu, Japanese businesses and others.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Chairman of the Hoi An city’s People’s Committee Nguyen Van Son said Vietnam and Japan have a long-standing relationship with several similarities in history, culture, traditions and human values.
In particular, the ancient town of Hoi An was known as one of the starting places for the Vietnam - Japan relationship more than 400 years ago, which was reflected in trade exchange through the bustling international trading port of Hoi An city as well as the love and the wedding between Princess Ngoc Hoa and Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro.
Since then, Hoi An has promoted the cooperation and friendship with Japanese partners and localities in various fields.
Especially, the 19th Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange 2023 is a part of a series of activites to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations bewteen the Vietnam and Japan (September 21, 1973 - September 21, 2023).
So, the event contribiutes to improving mutual understanding, consolidating and promoting the close and friendly relationship between the two countries and two peoples of Vietnam and Japan.
Giving his speech at the event, Japanese Ambassador in Vietnam Yamada Takio affirmed the relationship between the Vietnam and Japan has been developed strong thanks to the "understanding and empathy between the two peoples in the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two countries”.
On this occasion, Japanese singer Nakatani Akari was honored as a Goodwill Ambassador for Vietnam - Japan Cultural Exchange, contributing to introduce Hoi An tourism in particular and Vietnam tourism in general to visitors around the world.
