The 10th Japan Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City (JVF 2025) is set to take place next weekend in District 1 under the theme “Holding Hands Together – Towards the Future.”

Speaking at a press conference to announce the event on Friday, Le Truong Duy, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations, emphasized that over the past nine editions, the annual JVF has played a key role in fostering cultural exchanges, promoting trade, investment, and tourism, as well as strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.

According to the deputy director, the 10th JVF, which will take place on March 8 and 9 at 23/9 Park, continues to serve as a testament to the enduring and close-knit relationship between the governments and people of both countries.

This year’s festival will feature a diverse program, including cultural exchanges, trade promotion, culinary showcases, and tourism exhibitions, with the participation of approximately 150 booths.

Le Truong Duy (right), deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations, speaks at the press conference to announce the 10th Japan Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City on February 28, 2025. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

Jointly organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Japan-side JVF Organizing Committee, the event hopes to bring an authentic Japanese - Vietnamese cultural experience to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Visitors can look forward to immersive cultural experiences such as Japanese Awa Odori and Yosakoi dance performances, martial arts workshops, and a special sumo demonstration by Japanese athletes. 

A Japanese Shodo calligraphy workshop will also offer deeper insights into Japanese artistry, meanwhile, a grand yukata and cosplay parade will further enhance the festival’s vibrant atmosphere. 

A group of Vietnamese students don Japanese traditional costume while attending the 8th Japan Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

Other highlights of the two-day festival include a Bon Odori dance event for children from both countries, a special collaboration between Japanese boy band PSYCHIC FEVER and Vietnamese singer My My, and a performance by Vietnamese pop sensation Quang Hung MasterD.

On the evening of March 9, the festival will feature a spectacular show featuring 8-year-old DJ RINOKA, the Guinness World Record holder as the world’s youngest club DJ (female) when she was 6 years and 155 days old.

The 10th JVF will also showcase various highlights of Vietnamese culture, including traditional games and a free áo dài (Vietnamese traditional costume) rental service.

Beyond the main fest at 23/9 Park, additional events include a Vietnam-Japan student exchange at Le Quy Don Secondary & High School and a friendship cycling event where representatives from both countries and athletes from Ho Chi Minh City and Japan will ride from Ba Son Metro Station in District 1.

Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Ono Masuo (left) speaks at the press conference to announce the 10th Japan Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City on February 28, 2025. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

According to Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Ono Masuo, since its first edition in 2013, which marked the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations, the Japan Vietnam Festival has grown to become the largest Vietnam-Japan exchange event in Vietnam.

The 9th Vietnam-Japan Festival in 2024 saw an enthusiastic turnout, attracting more than 420,000 visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City Festival in Japan to be held in Tokyo

The Ho Chi Minh City Festival in Japan will be held in Tokyo on November 1-2 at the Tokyo International Forum to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of JVF in Ho Chi Minh City.

The 2025 Japan Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City and Ho Chi Minh City Festival in Japan are part of a series of events marking a significant milestone in the strong friendship between the governments and people of both countries.

Following the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations in 2023, these events usher in a new chapter in the joint efforts to further strengthen and deepen bilateral ties across all fields, contributing to regional and global peace and stability.

The November festival in Tokyo will feature Vietnamese cultural performances, including cải lương and đờn ca tài tử (traditional Southern Vietnamese music); martial arts exchanges and áo dài showcases; LED mapping light performances, depicting iconic images from Ho Chi Minh City and Japan; exhibitions on trade, cuisine, culture, and history; Vietnamese-Japanese tea culture exchange programs; and trade and investment promotion seminars.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!