HÀ NỘI — Japanese culture will be in the spotlight at the Japan Day - Fullmoon Festival, which will take place on September 23 in Hà Nội.

The event aims to promote the image and culture of Japan to Vietnamese people.

The festival, taking place at Manor Central Park, will include areas emulating Japanese locations like Fuji, Ginza, Tsuki, Sasuke and Yaguza Tower in Tokyo, including houses, traditional shops and culinary stalls.

Among them, the Fuji District is a perfect spot to take photos and check in as it is designed with Japanese and Vietnamese streets decorated with wind chimes, wagasa (oil-paper umbrella), conical hats and lanterns.

Visitors will feel like they are in Japan as they can visit famous places reproduced at the festival, play Kendama, join sumo competitions and shop for Japanese brands.

Art performances of yosakoi, fan dancing and taiko drum will also entertain visitors.

Japanese singer Việt Nam Kun who is well-known for covering Vietnamese songs in Japanese, will perform at the festival.

Another highlight of the festival is the Sakura Stage, where the final round of the Sakura Collection 2018 takes place.

Launched in 2012, Sakura Collection is a fashion design contest open to all non-Japanese students and amateur designers in Asia. The participants will create collections inspired by Japan.

Sakura Collection 2018 kicked off in Việt Nam in March last year. Ten finalists will present their collections on September 23. The winner will represent Việt Nam to compete with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and other Asian countries at the Sakura Collection 2018 organised in Japan.

Visitors will also contemplate the collection Beautiful Contrasts by Japanese designer Koshino Junko, a judge at the Sakura Collection 2018 in Japan.

Junko also served as a judge of the Vietnam Collection Grand Prix from 2006 to 2009. She has organised fashion shows worldwide.

It’s expected that the Japan Day - Fullmoon Festival will attract 5,000 domestic and international visitors as well as the presence of 15 Ambassadors to Việt Nam.

“We are focusing on security at the festival,” said Lê Hải Yến, member of the organising board. “Japanese partners are concerned about the comfort of each visitor, so we will prepare medical services, security, toilets and places to have a rest.”

The event will take place from 9am to 10pm at the Manor Central Park, Nguyễn Xiển Street Hoàng Mai District. Entrance is free. It is organised to mark 45 years of diplomatic relation between Việt Nam and Japan (September 21, 1973). — VNS