Some encounters do not begin at a specific moment, but long before—when the Red Seal ships set sail, carrying ceramics, silk, and unspoken connections. And in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, those memories continue to flow—quietly yet enduringly, like the very waters that once nurtured a bustling trading port.
In Hoi An, the imprint of Japanese culture is not confined to stories of the past; it lives on naturally in the rhythm of daily life today. From the days when Red Seal ships anchored here, historical trade relations have not simply remained in history, but seem to continue in everyday life—through the way spaces are preserved, through narrow streets that open up to connection, familiarity, and a sense of closeness.
From May 22 to 24, 2026, the 22nd “Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange”, Da Nang 2026 brings that encounter back through a series of performances, reenactments, and immersive experiences woven throughout the ancient town—where every step can become a point of connection.
This year, the Opening Ceremony will take place at 7:30 PM on May 22, 2026 at An Hoi Sculpture Garden, marking the beginning of a vibrant cultural exchange filled with sound, light, and layered performances. The rhythm continues with Cultural Exchange and Traditional Art Performances (7:30 PM on May 23 and 24, 2026), where Bon dances gradually expand into communal movement, drawing audiences into the rhythm of drums and shared participation—where the line between performer and participant almost disappears.
Along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, the Vietnam – Japan Cultural Experience Space (09:00 – 21:00, May 22–24, 2026) unfolds as an immersive environment where every step becomes a cultural touchpoint. Rather than being separated into distinct zones, activities such as tea ceremony, origami, and Yukata dressing are interwoven naturally within the flow of visitors.
Within this movement, you may pause at a tea ceremony corner to embrace stillness, then continue and encounter the colors of Yukata along the street, or stop by origami tables where each fold gradually takes shape. These experiences are not isolated but seamlessly connected, turning the street itself into a journey—where culture is close enough to be felt, and deep enough to stay with you.
At a slower pace, the Sakai Calligraphy and Tea Ceremony Performances (10:00 AM on May 23 and 24, 2026, Cam Pho Communal House) offer a quiet space where each gesture reflects precision and mindfulness. Meanwhile, the Japanese Covered Bridge area comes alive with Street Art Performances (4:00 PM on May 22, 2026), and notably the reenactment of “The Wedding Procession of Princess Ngoc Hoa and Merchant Araki Sotaro” (5:00 PM on May 22 and 23, 2026)—where history is not merely retold but moves dynamically through the open space among visitors.
At Hoai River Square and An Hoi Sculpture Garden, cultural exchange booths featuring cuisine, tourism, and interactive experiences (4:00 PM – 9:30 PM, May 22–24, 2026) create a vibrant atmosphere where tradition and modernity coexist. The Cosplay Contest (4:30 PM on May 24, 2026) adds a youthful dimension, reflecting how Japanese culture continues to be embraced through contemporary expressions.
On a deeper level, the activity “Hizen Ceramics – Patterns that Tell Stories” (09:00 – 19:00, May 22–24, 2026, Museum of Trade Ceramics), along with the guided program “Japanese Footprints of the Past” (May 22–24, 2026), leads visitors back through layers of historical trade memory—where culture resides not in vibrancy, but in preserved traces of time.
And like encounters that began long ago, this event does not belong to a single destination. It unfolds in the way you walk through the ancient town, in the moments you pause, in subtle movements that may not even need naming.
Amid familiar streets, culture does not stand apart as a separate story, but lives within the flow of space, people, and daily rhythm. You may enter at any point, at any time during May 22–24, 2026, and naturally become part of that flow—an encounter that requires no arrangement, yet is always ready to happen.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
