Children join an outdoor reading session at the Japanese-styled Sakura Kindergarten in Đà Nẵng. A writing and painting contest will be organised for 10,000 school students in Đà Nẵng to promote the Japan-Việt Nam friendship. — VNS Photo Công Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG — School students will compete in a writing and painting contest to promote Japan-Việt Nam friendship, celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in the central city from March 30 to May 30.

The contest is titled 'Đà Nẵng school students joining hands in strengthening the Japan-Việt Nam friendship'.

It will feature around 10,000 students from primary, secondary and high school who will send their paintings and essays to Japan for selection on June 5-30.

The union said that the best paintings and writings in Vietnamese or Japanese would be given awards in a ceremony in July.

The union and the education and training department will work together to organise the contest.

Đà Nẵng was the first city in central Việt Nam to promote cooperation with Japanese partners in high-quality human resources training, with 450 students from Đà Nẵng-based Đông Á University working for businesses in Japan.

A schoolgirl draws at a free painting event in central Việt Nam. Đà Nẵng has been boosting events in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Japan-Việt Nam diplomatic ties. — VNS Photo Công Thành

The first Japanese language studies and culture research centre in the central and Central Highlands region was founded at the university.

Japan also promoted its Consulate Office in Đà Nẵng City to the Consulate-General after two years of establishment to boost trade, tourism, investment and relationship ties with the central city and the entire central region.

Head of the Japanese General Consulate, Yakabe Yoshinori, said the promotion was a positive move and that the government of Japan appreciates the important role of Đà Nẵng.

He said Đà Nẵng was important to Japan’s diplomatic and economic policy as it is an entrance to the East Sea and an excellent connection to the East-West Economic Corridors that link Việt Nam, Laos and Myanmar as well as the southern economic corridor.

Students in Đà Nẵng enjoy noodles in bamboo, a traditional food of Japan, at the Japan-Việt Nam Cultural Exchange Day in the city. Photo courtesy of Phương Chi

Japanese was taught at 12 primary and seven junior secondary schools in Liên Chiểu District following the city’s foreign language teaching programme for 2012-20.

The beach city and neighbouring provinces are home to 440 Japanese people and 60 Japanese restaurants operate in Đà Nẵng.

Đà Nẵng and Hội An have been hosting the annual Japan-Việt Nam Cultural Exchange Day since 2014. — VNS