Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Tet festival in Japan. (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the February 3 event, Ambassador NgoHuong Nam briefed the participants on achievements Vietnam recorded in 2023,with the national gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by over 5% to morethan 430 billion USD.
He said the year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties with a range of activities,notably the reciprocal visits of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh andPM Mark Rutte.
Theambassador noted his hope that the Vietnamese community will continue stayingunited, contribute more to the homeland, and further work as a bridge betweenthe two countries.
Also on February 3, Vietnamese associations in Japan’sKansai region opened a Tet festival in Hyogo prefecture’s Amagasaki city withthe support of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka city and local authorities.
Consul General Ngo Trinh Ha stressed that thefestival offers an opportunity for Vietnamese in Japan and Kansai in particularto exchange and strengthen their solidarity, while promoting the Vietnamese cultureto international friends.
It also helps Vietnamese and Japanese firms seek cooperationopportunities, he added, expressing his belief that the festival willcontribute to enhancing cooperation and people-to-people exchange between thetwo countries.
Amagasaki’sMayor Matsumoto Shin said the city is now home to more than 2,200 Vietnamesepeople who have contributed to local development, adding the festival will helpfoster exchange and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Japan, as well asbetween local residents and Vietnamese there.
Japanese SenatorIshikawa Hirotaka sent a letter of congratulations to the festival, describingit as an important event for Amagasaki residents that helps them understand more about the Vietnamese culture, contributing to enhancing cooperation and exchange betweenthe two countries.
With an array of activities, including artperformances and a fashion show, the two-day festival attracted about 80,000visitors./.
VNA
