Art program “Cultural colors of Vietnam – Japan”

The leaders of Bac Ninh province and Japan presents flowers to congratulate artists and actors participating in the Program.

Participants at the Program were Mr. Watanabe Shige, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam; Mr. Kuroiwa Yuji, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan; Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies; Mr. Nguyen Quoc Chung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mrs. Nguyen Huong Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Vuong Quoc Tuan, Alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and the comrades from the Provincial Party Standing Committee, leaders of the Provincial People’s Council, People’s Committee and Delegation of National Assembly Deputies as well as representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, departments, branches, sectors and localities.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan (3^rd from the right), Mr. Watanabe Shige (2^nd from the right), Mr. Kuroiwa Yuji (4^th from the right), Mr. Nguyen Quoc Chung (1^st from the right), and Mrs. Nguyen Huong Giang (2^nd from the left) attend the Program.

In the welcome speech at the Program, Mr. Vuong Quoc Tuan highlighted that with a history of people-to-people exchanges spanning more than 13 centuries and half a century of the official establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2023), Vietnam and Japan has joined hands to cultivate cooperation and mutual development based on cultural similarities, strong historical ties and high political trust. Japan is Vietnam’s leading economic, trade, investment, tourism and labor partner; therefore, the cooperation between the two countries in economy, culture, education, local cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and so on are strongly promoted and gain many achievements, Tuan added.

Overview of the Program.

Until now, Japan has 103 projects in Bac Ninh province with a total investment capital of 1.67 billion USD, ranking 3^rd out of 40 countries and territories and making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Especially, in terms of culture, Bac Ninh province receives lots of attention and support from the Japanese Government, localities, Universities, organizations and scientists in the archaeological work and the preservation of traditional crafts.

The Program is a unique cultural exchange event based on the traditional cultural colors of Vietnam and Japan. Through the performances of Bac Ninh Quan ho folk songs; Kimono show; Taiko drums and Yosakoi dance of Japan, Tuan hoped to introduce and honor the beauty of traditional culture and the strong friendship between the two countries and nations; Bac Ninh province and Kanagawa prefecture as well as Japanese localities, organizations and enterprises. At the same time, he wished that Vietnam - Japan friendship would develop to a new level for the benefit of the peoples, peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world.

Mr. Vuong Quoc Tuan speaks at the Program.

The art program is distinctive with the theme “Cultural colors of Vietnam – Japan” and the participation of artists and actors from Vietnam and Japan. They performed singing, dancing and music imbued with the cultural identities of Bac Ninh, Vietnam and Japan including Japanese folk instrument ensemble; introduction to traditional festivals with their own and unique identities; and Bac Ninh Quan ho folk songs through the performances such as “Vào chùa”, “Bạn Kim lan”, “Liện sai”.

In addition, special performances from Japan including yosakoi dance and Japanese Taiko drums were performed. Especially, the highlight was the fashion show demonstrating the unique beauty of Kimono and Yukata costumes.

The opening performance of Japanese drums and Bac Ninh Quan ho folk songs.

The Program ended with the Bac Ninh Quan ho folk songs and Tomodachi (Friendship) performed by a collective of Vietnamese and Japanese actors, actresses and musicians. It aimed to confirm the fine tradition of friendship, honor the impartial and sincere relationship between the two countries, as well as the valuable assistance of the Japanese to the Vietnamese in the cause of national construction and development.

The Program is also an opportunity to promote the image of the land, culture and people of Vietnam – Japan as well as the people’s cultural beauty of Kinh Bac – Bac Ninh and Kanagawa prefecture. As a result, the mutual understanding and empathy is increased, bringing the relationship between Vietnam and Japan to a closer and sustainable development.