The 2015 Ha Long Japanese cherry blossom festival themed “Peace – prosperity – cooperation and development” will be held from April 2-5 in Ha Long city, northern Quang Ninh province.

The statement was released by Vice Chairman of the Ha Long People’s Committee Tran Trong Trung at a press briefing on March 24.

As many as 500 cherry blossom branches from Japan are expected to be showcased at the festival, along with a wide range of art performances

The event will also include exhibitions featuring culture, tourism and cuisine from Vietnam and Japan, film screenings and workshops on health care, education and the environment, among others.

The annual festival, organised by the Ha Long city People’s Committee in collaboration with Japan’s Wanokai International Culture Association, is expected to help promote cultural exchange and strengthen friendship between the province and Japanese localities as well as ties between the two countries.-VNA