The ninth Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange began in the central city of Hoi An on Aug. 20.

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, saying the exchange manifests the solidarity between people of the two countries while contributing to tightening the relationship between the two nations.

He used the occasion to highlight 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 16 th 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 17 th century, as symbol of cultural exchange of the two countries.

The event, held in every August, receives support from many Japanese organisations and universities.

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