adminThe Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange wrapped up on 24 May 2026 after three days of vibrant festivities in Hoi An, leaving behind a powerful message of enduring friendship and cultural connection between two countries.
The event was held under the guidance of the Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee, organized by the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang. The Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation served as the direct executing agency, alongside the companionship of various organizations and enterprises from both countries.
Awakening a 400-Year memory in the heart of Hoi An ancient town
The emotional centerpiece of this year’s festival was the reenactment of the wedding procession of Princess Ngoc Hoa and the Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro. Along the main thoroughfares of Hoi An ancient town, hundreds of performers in traditional Vietnamese and Japanese attire revived a cross-border love story from more than four centuries ago. Right from the opening, the area surrounding the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau) was animated by the vibrant atmosphere of street art exchanges, where traditional Vietnamese music harmoniously blended with the Japanese Bon Odori dance.
Speaking at the solemn opening ceremony at the An Hoi Sculpture Garden, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thy, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee, emphasized: “The festival is by no means a purely recreational activity; rather, it is an encounter between memory and the present. Hoi An was once a bustling gateway for economic and cultural convergence, and this event serves as a conduit for both sides to share traditional values and co-create the future, especially within the context of Japan being a vital strategic partner of Vietnam.”
A humanistic highlight: A decade of nurturing heritage seeds
While the artistic performances offered a visual spectacle, the review ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Terakoya free Japanese language class provided a touching, reflective interlude. A decade-long quiet journey of educating hundreds of young students in Hoi An has become the most vivid testament to the deep-rooted spirit of exchange, weaving emotional bonds from the very foundations of education.
Throughout the three-day festival, domestic and international tourists truly immersed themselves in a highly interactive, miniature Japanese cultural space. Amidst the solemn silence of the Cam Pho Communal House, the public admired the art of live calligraphy demonstrated by masters from the Sakai region. This serene atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the bustling and vibrant ambience at the Japanese-Vietnamese brand booths and souvenir pavilions in the An Hoi Sculpture Garden.
The allure of the festival also radiated to surrounding heritage sites across the ancient town. At the Museum of Trade Ceramics, visitors enthusiastically participated in hand-painting Hizen ceramics. Meanwhile, spaces dedicated to wearing Yukata, practicing Origami, and admiring exhibitions of traditional Japanese dolls alongside contemporary Sumoko dolls.
Hoi An – Japan: Cultivating the future from bilateral heritage values
Initiated in 1998, the Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange has evolved over more than two decades into one of the most long-standing and prestigious events in cultural diplomacy.
Far from being a mere celebratory event, the 20-plus-year journey of this bridge of friendship has been opening up substantive cooperation opportunities in trade, culture, and tourism, while continuously positioning the Hoi An heritage brand on the international map.
Text: Le Thu Hien, Photo: Organizer
