HÀ NỘI — A concert celebrating the friendship between Việt Nam and Japan took place on Sunday (September 9) in Hà Nội.

Việt Nam Television (VTV) and Việt Nam - Japan Special Ambassador Ryotaro Sugi hosted the concert with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

VTV General Director Trần Bình Minh said the idea of organising the concert started a year ago in preparation for the celebration marking 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Japan.

“Through music, we honour the cultural beauty of the two nations. They share similarities but each has its own identity,” he said.

The highlight of the concert is the song Gặp Tôi Hoa Nở (Flowers Blooming When I Meet You) exclusively written for the event. Popular songs from the two countries will also be performed, including Doraemon no Uta and songs written by Trịnh Công Sơn.

Boy band: W-inds., a beloved group among young Japanese music lovers took part in the concert. — Photo fanpop.cpm

The concert gathered leading artists from the two countries such as Mỹ Linh, Đông Nhi, Trọng Hiếu, The Wings band, Maius Philharmonic, and Sine dance group of Việt Nam; and Pikotaro, Godai Natsuko, w-inds. band, Exile Atsushi and especially Ambassador Sugi from Japan.

The stage was designed with special effects highlighting the traditional culture of the two countries.

Ambassador Sugi was born in 1944. He is a Japanese singer, painter and actor.

Sugi was appointed by two Governments as Việt Nam-Japan and Japan-Việt Nam Special Friendship Ambassador since 2007 and was extended to 2020 following an announcement on September 6.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc remarked that Sugi has made significant contributions to reinforcing the two countries’ friendship and co-operation over the past 30 years in various fields such as culture, arts, people-to-people exchanges, and humanitarian activities.

Ambassador Sugi said the co-operation potential between Việt Nam and Japan in economics, politics and culture was enormous, adding that he would do his utmost to propel the bilateral rapport forward. 

“I want to use the power of culture to maintain peace and enhance mutual understanding,” he said. — VNS