The Quảng Ninh planning, fair and exhibition palace in Hạ Long City will be the venue for the upcoming Hokkaido Festival. Photo courtesy of the palace

QUẢNG NINH The Hokkaido Festival will take place in Hạ Long City, the northern province of Quảng Ninh, from November 17 to 19 to promote cultural exchanges, economic and tourism links between Việt Nam and Japan.

The festival, to be held at the October 30 Square and the Quảng Ninh planning, fair and exhibition palace in Hồng Hải Ward of Hạ Long City, will form part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam - Japan diplomatic relations and the 60th founding anniversary of Quảng Ninh (October 30, 1963 - 2023), said the provincial People’s Committee.

It added that the Quảng Ninh People’s Committee and the Hokkaido prefectural administration will sign an agreement on comprehensive cooperation on this occasion.

The Hokkaido Festival in Hạ Long will feature activities such as a Quảng Ninh - Japan investment promotion conference, an exhibition of Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine, street art performances, a workshop on cultural - tourism ties and human resources development, and a friendly golf tournament, among others.

The festival aims to help introduce the cultural traditions of Quảng Ninh and Hokkaido, as well as the two countries in general, and attract foreign visitors to the Vietnamese province.

The opening ceremony is expected to draw about 4,000-5,000 people, including Japanese artisans and artists, according to the Quảng Ninh administration. VNS