HCM CITY – The “Feel Japan in Vietnam” festival will feature popular symbols of Japanese culture, Hello Kitty, Geisha and Ninja, in HCM City this week.

The two-day event will feature a Japanese tea ceremony and traditional performance by Maiko (apprentice Geisha) and Geiko (called Geisha in Kyoto) from Kyoto.

The Ninja from Edo Wonderland, a theme park in Tochigi where the culture and life of the Edo period is reproduced, will present martial arts performances.

Participants will have a chance to take photos and discuss Hello Kitty, a symbol of Japanese kawaii culture - a prominent aspect of Japanese popular culture that emphasises in cuteness - at the festival.

The event will include performances of famous Vietnamese singers Chí Thiện and Bảo An, and boy band 365 Daband, who will sing songs praising the beauty of Việt Nam, including Những nụ cười Việt Nam (Vietnamese Smiles), Oh My Love, and Sài Gòn Here We Come.

A shopping fair with 50 stalls will sell products from Japan’s leading brands in fashion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and electronics.

Hairstylists from Japanese brands of hair care products like Moltobene and Tokyo Beauty will offer instructions on hair styling.

The Japanese All Nippon Airways in cooperation with 10 Japanese provinces and cities will introduce popular tourism destinations, and a new discovery tour to Japan will also be featured.

The festival will be held on July 16 and 17 at Gem Center, 8 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street in District 1. Entrance fee is VNĐ50,000. — VNS