Despite hot weather, crowds of Japanese people poured into Yoyogi park in Tokyo on September 14 to explore Vietnam’s land, people and cultural customs.
Visitors to Vietnam Festival 2013 had the chance to sample traditional Vietnamese dishes, enjoy folk songs, and see Ao Dai – an elegant traditional long dress.
Nakamura, who teaches Vietnamese students Japanese, said she often participates in the event to not only taste Vietnamese dishes and enjoyed art performances, but also discover the Southeast Asian nation’s culture.
“Vietnam today is developing rapidly and many Japanese investors are keen to invest in the Vietnamese market,” said Nakamura. “The relationship between the two nations will get closer if their people speak and understand each other’s language and culture.”
“I am happy that many of my Vietnamese students can speak Japanese and make friends with Japanese people,” she said.
Many Japanese people, specially youths, are interested in Vovinam - Vietnam’s traditional martial art which is known around the globe.
Nichiryu, who has practiced Vovinam for two years, said he loves this kind of martial art because “it deepens my understanding of Vietnam’s glorious struggle for national defence.”
He expressed his hope that the Japan Vovinam Association which currently has 30 members will be invited to perform in next year’s Vietnam Festival to introduce this martial art to more Japanese people.
Vietnam Festival 2013 was a major event in a series of activities held in five big Japanese cities to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.