The event is jointly organised by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam (JF), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Hoi An municipal People’s Committee. There will be a wide range of activities within the framework of the three-day exchange featuring traditional poetry, dances and dresses of Japan. An exhibition displaying activities of the previous eight programmes and a charitable concert will also take place. Kitamura Toshihiro, Japanese charge d’affaires in Vietnam, praised Hoi An’s thorough preparations of the event and highlighted the Vietnamese people’s assistance to help the Japanese people overcome the devastating consequences of the March earthquake and tsunami. Many Japanese entrepreneurs had lived and run business in Hoi An since the 16th century and left their influence in the city up to now, he said, referring to Bridge pagoda, which was built by Japanese businessmen in the 17th century, as symbol of cultural exchange of the two countries. The event, held in every August, receives support from many Japanese organisations and universities.
**Earlier the same day, Hoi An held a seminar to develop a contingent of professional tour guides and special tourism products that suit with the taste of Japanese people. Truong Van Bay, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An municipal People’s Committee said the city will coordinate with agencies, organisations and individuals to increase cultural exchange with Japan as the plan aims to attract more tourists from the country.
Similarities in customs, practices and beliefs between the two countries will be taken into account in the plan, Bay said. Many Japanese entrepreneurs had lived and run business in Hoi An since the 16th -17th century and left their influence in the city up to now, including many pieces of Hizen pottery and Bridge pagoda, which was built by Japanese businessmen in the 17th century. According to preliminary statistics, Japanese arrivals to Hoi An numbered nearly 16,000 a year between 2006 and 2010, ranking sixth of the total number of visitors to the city. The seminar was part of the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange jointly held by the Hoi An People’s Committee and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
