A parade of traditional Vietnamese áo dài graces the Việt Nam Cultural Festival in Osaka, Japan in 2025. — Photo nhandan.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Hùng Kings Commemoration ceremony, a sacred Vietnamese cultural tradition with deep roots, will be re-enacted at the 9th Việt Nam Cultural Festival in Japan.

Taking place on April 19 in Osaka, the festival holds deep significance for the Vietnamese community in Japan and serves as a vibrant cultural exchange that strengthens friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

The event is organised by the Vietnamese Association in Kansai, in collaboration with the Liaison Committee for Overseas Vietnamese and under the patronage of the Consulate General of Việt Nam in Osaka.

It highlights the role of the Vietnamese community in preserving and promoting traditional values while showcasing the image of Việt Nam to international friends.

Lê Thương, head of the Festival Organising Committee and Vice President of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan, said that the main focus will be a solemn incense‑offering ceremony honouring the Hùng Kings.

This ritual expresses profound gratitude for the nation’s forefathers and offers overseas Vietnamese an opportunity to reconnect with their ancestral roots.

The Hùng Kings Commemoration ceremony, observed on the 10th day of the third lunar month, is a sacred tradition that embodies the Vietnamese spirit of 'drinking water, remembering its source'. — Photo dantocphattrien.vietnamnet.vn

Aside from the ceremony, the festival will also present a lively cultural programme featuring traditional art performances, ethnic costume showcases, lion and dragon dances, and interactive experiences for the public.

One major highlight this year is the participation of nearly 50 booths offering Vietnamese cuisine, alongside stalls introducing products and services from Vietnamese businesses.

These activities promote Việt Nam’s culinary heritage while creating opportunities to connect brands and enterprises with both the Vietnamese community in Japan and local residents, fostering cultural exchange and economic cooperation.

Nguyễn Phú Bình, former Ambassador of Việt Nam to Japan and Chairman of the Liaison Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, said at a press conference that the festival has grown over the years into a major cultural event in Kansai, attracting overseas Vietnamese, international friends and local residents.

He noted that it is not only a chance to honour ancestral roots, but also an important bridge for cultural diplomacy and people‑to‑people exchange, deepening the friendship between Việt Nam and Japan.

Hundreds of participants at the 2025 Việt Nam Cultural Festival in Osaka gather to form the S‑shaped map of Việt Nam, symbolising national unity. — Photo nhandan.vn

Deputy Head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Phạm Thị Kim Hoa highlighted the unity and resilience of overseas Vietnamese communities, who remain deeply connected to their homeland.

She described the re‑enactment of the Hùng Kings Commemoration ceremony abroad as a distinctive highlight, helping to unite more than 100 million Vietnamese people worldwide.

After eight successful editions, the Việt Nam Cultural Festival in Japan has firmly established itself as a major community event in Kansai, resonating widely and drawing strong interest from overseas Vietnamese, international friends and local residents. — VNS