Vietnam Festival in Japan kicks off
Tokyo (VNA) – The annual Vietnam Festival in Japan opened
in Tokyo on November 7, making it the first large-scale event here since the city was included in the Japanese Government’s Go To Travel campaign.
Speaking at the festival, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong
Nam said it responses to Japan’s Go To Travel and Go To Eat campaigns and shows
Vietnam’s support for the country’s hosting of the Tokyo Olympic Games next year.
The two campaigns are initiatives by the Japanese Government to
boost consumer spending and help the economy recover from losses caused by COVID-19.
Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Eiichiro Washio said
the event is an exchange opportunity for Vietnamese and Japanese peoples as
travel has been restricted this year due to the pandemic.
He highlighted growing Vietnam – Japan relations across many
political and socio-economic fields, mentioning Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide’s
visit to Vietnam last month in his first oversea trip since taking office.
Echoing the view, Japanese State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries Hideki Miyauchi considered the festival a good chance for gastronomic
exchange.
He unveiled that Japan wants to export mandarin to Vietnam and
import Vietnamese dried longan and lychee.
Lasting until November 8, the festival features traditional dishes
and art performances, with visitors required to wear masks and get their body
temperatures checked at the entrance.
First held in 2008, the event aims to promote Vietnam’s image in
Japan, boosting locals’ understanding of the country./.