The 10th Japan Vietnam Festival (JVF 2025) officially commenced in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday morning with a cycling event, celebrating the enduring friendship between the two countries.

The festival, held from Saturday through Sunday at 23/9 Park in District 1, features a diverse lineup of cultural, sports, tourism, and entertainment activities. 

This year, sports events have been expanded across multiple locations in the city.

The opening cycling event started at 7:30 am at Ba Son Metro Station, following a 4.6km route through major streets in the city center before ending at 23/9 Park.

The opening cycling event of the 10th Japan Vietnam Festival gathers approximately 100 participants, including Ho Chi Minh City officials, civil servants, and some professional cyclists, Ho Chi Minh City, March 8, 2025. Photo: N.T.

Participants included Vietnamese and Japanese officials, such as Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, vice-chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Hashimoto Seiko, head of the JVF 2025 Organizing Committee; and Takebe Tsutomu, special advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance.

Speaking at the event, the city’s vice-chairwoman emphasized that the cycling activity was more than just a sport – it was a symbol of Vietnam-Japan friendship and the commitment to environmental protection and public health.

Ly Dai Nghia, an official from the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, revealed that this year marks the department’s first direct involvement in the organizing committee, with plans to showcase various Japanese sports.

Takebe Tsutomu, special advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, attends the cycling event, Ho Chi Minh City, March 8, 2025. Photo: Thanh Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Following the cycling event, festival-goers will experience Japanese martial arts demonstrations at 23/9 Park, featuring judo, karate, kendo, aikido, and katori shinto ryu.

Teeball and sumo will also be promoted at the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Center in District 11 from Saturday to Monday.

Ngo Quang Vinh, president of the Ho Chi Minh City Cycling and Motor Sports Federation, noted that cycling has become a key activity in diplomatic and public health events.

"Recently, we organized a cycling event with 400-500 participants on a similar route,” Vinh said.

“With the development of public transportation in Ho Chi Minh City, cycling is increasingly promoted as a healthy and convenient form of exercise and transportation for residents."

The festival will also feature many exciting sports activities. Photo: Thanh Dinh / Tuoi Tre

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

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 JVF has grown to become the largest Vietnam-Japan exchange event in Vietnam.

The 9th JVF in 2024 saw an enthusiastic turnout, attracting more than 420,000 visitors.

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