Connecting Heritage – Strengthening Vietnam–Japan Friendship
The 21st Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange is directed by the People’s Committee of Da Nang City and organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan in Da Nang and related units. The event will take place from December 26 to 28, 2025 at the Hoi An Ancient Town, with main venues including An Hoi Sculpture Garden, Japanese Covered Bridge area, and the wards of Hoi An Dong and Hoi An Tay.
The event aims to spread the cultural beauty of Hoi An – a UNESCO World Heritage site – to domestic and international visitors, while strengthening the enduring friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. It also serves as an opportunity to enhance collaboration in investment, trade, tourism, and culture between Da Nang–Hoi An and Japanese localities, contributing to tourism development and cultural exchange in the region.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
1. Opening Ceremony of the 21st Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange, Danang 2025
- Time: 19:30, December 26, 2025
- Venue: An Hoi Sculpture Garden
Content: Opening ceremony; traditional Japanese drum performance; art performances by Vietnamese and Japanese artists; welcome reception for Japanese delegations.
2. Cultural and Traditional Art Performances
- Time: 19:30, December 27–28, 2025
- Venue: An Hoi Sculpture Garden
Content: Yosakoi dance, Cosplay, Bon Odori from Japan, Cham drum dance from Vietnam, and street art performances.
3. Futondaiko Traditional Procession
- Time: 15:30, December 27–28, 2025
- Venue: Hoi An Ancient Town.
Content: Reenactment of the Futondaiko procession from Sakai City, Japan, along streets of the old quarter.
4. Reenactment of the “Princess Ngoc Hoa and Merchant Araki Sotaro Parade”
- Time: 17:00, December 26–27, 2025
- Venue: Ancient Town and Japanese Covered Bridge area
Content: Cultural reenactment depicting the historical love story symbolizing the early Vietnam–Japan connection in the 16th century.
5. Calligraphy and Sakai Tea Ceremony Presentation
- Time: 10:00, December 27–28, 2025
- Venue: Cam Pho Temple (52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai)
Content: Japanese artisans demonstrate and guide visitors in the art of tea ceremony and calligraphy.
6. Street Art Exchange
- Time: 16:00–17:00, December 26, 2025
- Venue: Japanese Covered Bridge Square.
Content: Folk music and dance performances, Bon drum experience, and cultural exchange with Terakoya Japanese language learners.
7. Cosplay Contest
- Time: 16:30, December 28, 2025
- Venue: An Hoi Sculpture Garden
Content: Costume and performance contest inspired by popular Japanese manga and anime characters.
Regular Exhibitions & Experiences
1. Photo Exhibition on Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange
- Time: December 26–28, 2025
- Venue: Japanese Covered Bridge area
Content: Display of photos from previous cultural exchanges and tourism highlights of Hoi An and Da Nang.
2. Vietnam – Japan Bonsai Art Exchange
- Time: December 26–28, 2025
- Venue: An Hoi Sculpture Garden
Content: Exhibition and bonsai-making demonstrations by Vietnamese and Japanese artisans.
3. Vietnam – Japan Cultural Experience Space
- Time: 09:00–21:00, December 26–28, 2025
- Venue: Japanese Cultural Exhibition House (6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai)
Content: Origami folding, yukata and ao dai dressing, folk games, and tea ceremony experiences.
Tourism, Culinary, and Cosplay Fair
- Time: 16:00–21:30, December 26–28, 2025
- Venue: An Hoi Sculpture Garden and Song Hoai Square
Content: Tourism promotion booths, Japanese and Vietnamese cultural products, OCOP and handmade crafts, manga merchandise, and culinary showcases featuring sushi, sashimi, and traditional dishes.
5. “Hizen Ceramics – Patterns Tell Stories” Experience
- Time: 09:00–19:00, December 26–28, 2025
- Venue: Museum of Trade Ceramics (80 Tran Phu)
Content: Exhibition and hands-on experience of painting traditional Hizen ceramic motifs.
6. “Traces of Japan” Cultural Tour
- Time: December 26–28, 2025
- Venue: Hoi An Ancient Town and historical Japanese merchant sites
Content: Guided tours exploring heritage sites such as Banjiro House, Gusokukun House, and Yajirobei House, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange.
The event stands as a living bridge between the past and the present — a celebration of shared heritage and friendship that began in the 16th century and continues to flourish today. Through vibrant cultural and tourism exchanges, Hoi An remains a timeless symbol of Vietnam–Japan connection and mutual understanding.
Photos by the Photography & Practical Application Cooperative (PPAC), in collaboration with the Danang Tourism Promotion Center.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
