Cultural exchange strengthens Vietnam and Japan’s strong bond

TVU – On September 29th, the 3rd Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Program takes place at Tra Vinh University, commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (September 21, 1973 – September 21, 2023). It contributes to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

The program is directed by the People’s Committee of Tra Vinh Province, in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Investment, the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in Tra Vinh, and Tra Vinh University.

Mr. Masuo Ono, the Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, and Ms. Akane Mastuba, the Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, along with representatives from the leadership of the Mekong Delta provinces, Japanese businesses in Tra Vinh, and over 1,000 students, lecturers, and guests, attend the program.

In his opening speech, Mr. Le Van Han, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Tra Vinh Province, emphasizes that this is the third edition of the Cultural Exchange Program in 2023, commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. These events are organized nationwide, significantly strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.

Mr. Le Van Han, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Tra Vinh Province, emphasizes that this is the third edition of the Cultural Exchange Program in 2023, commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. These events are organized nationwide, significantly strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.

Tra Vinh Province aims to enhance a mark and bridge cultural exchange between the two nations. It seeks to introduce and promote the image of the country, culture, and people of Vietnam in general, and Tra Vinh Province in particular, to the people of Japan. The program also aims to provide opportunities for the people of Tra Vinh Province to access and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, as well as to create opportunities for cooperation in various fields, offering learning and work opportunities for the people of both nations, thereby deepening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

Mr. Le Van Han states that Japan is one of Vietnam’s leading and strategically important partners, being a major bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) provider and a traditional partner of Tra Vinh Province. In recent times, ODA projects funded by the Japanese government have brought significant economic benefits to the people in the project areas within Tra Vinh Province.

The provincial leadership acknowledges and highly appreciates the contributions, especially those made by Japanese enterprises to Tra Vinh Province in recent times. Specifically, Yazaki EDS Vietnam Company, a Japanese enterprise operating in Tra Vinh, specializes in the production of automobile wiring harnesses, with a total investment of nearly USD 49 million, employing over 5,000 local workers.

In the field of education and training, currently, colleges and universities in the province have signed Memoranda of Understanding with various Japanese institutions, and localities in Japan, to collaborate on cultural and language training. This collaboration also extends to support small and medium-sized enterprises in technology development, promotion, and job placement. In terms of labor cooperation and overseas employment, Tra Vinh Province currently has 1,192 contract-based laborers working abroad, of which 1,140 are working in Japan. 

The Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Program affirms the valuable contributions of the Japanese government and people in general, and the Japanese business community in particular, to Tra Vinh Province in recent times.

Mr. Le Van Han expresses his hope that in the future, the Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City will continue to facilitate conditions for Japanese businesses to invest and develop in Tra Vinh Province, create every opportunity for the people of Japan to visit and learn about the cultural identity of the Vietnamese people in general, and Tra Vinh Province in particular. Additionally, he encourages the people of Tra Vinh to study and work in Japan, and to enhance cultural exchanges between the two nations. At the same time, Tra Vinh Province is ready to create favorable conditions for sustainable investment and development by Japanese enterprises.

Consul General Masuo Ono emphasizes that the relationship between Japan and Vietnam is developing very positively. He also expresses gratitude to Tra Vinh Province for its strong efforts in promoting cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Japan. Through activities and cooperation between the two sides, he hopes that Japanese enterprises will participate more in Tra Vinh, contributing to the province’s development not only in terms of culture and education but also in many other fields.

During the program, delegates enjoy various outstanding cultural performances such as Japanese drumming, cherry blossom dances, Yasakoi dance, and Kimono costume presentations. There are also cultural performances from Tra Vinh Province, including singing and dancing, traditional musical instrument performances, and the Khmer ethnic group’s ensemble. Additionally, participants plant commemorative trees and engage in outdoor exchange activities.

      

 

Outdoor activities take place from 07:00 to 17:00, including art performances, exhibitions of handicrafts, introduction of local specialties, promotion of Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine, flower arrangement art, organization of traditional games and photo shooting spaces, Torii Gate, Mount Fuji, Lantern Street, Perfume Street, Umbrella Road, Plum, and Cherry Gardens, and the Crane Area, showcasing the diverse and unique space of Vietnamese and Japanese art and culture.

This occasion provides the people of Tra Vinh Province with the opportunity to gain further insight into Japanese culture, as well as an opportunity for Tra Vinh Province to introduce and promote the traditional cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people in general, and Tra Vinh Province in particular, to the people of Japan. It also contributes to strengthening the friendship.

By TD