Cherry Blossom Festival 2009 Opens in Hanoi

With the permit and support from the Hanoi People’s Committee, the third Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival 2009 was organized in Hanoi from April 10 - 12, 2009 by the Japan - Vietnam Cultural Exchange Association.

 

Traditional and modern Japanese traditions were introduced to locals through a series of cultural activities, including art performances, food demonstrations and handicraft displays. Artists from Japan performed Yosakoi dancing (martial arts and traditional Japanese street theatre), Hanagasa Ondo (flower straw-hat song) and Nanjing Tama Sudare drama.

 

There were live shows from Japanese and Vietnamese musicians, a Kimono show, koto (a kind of musical instrument) performance and Japanese cold noodle (soba) making. Japanese professors presented their research of Thang Long Imperial Citadel and analyse the influences of Japanese culture on Vietnam.

 

Visitors Hanoians experienced the sight and smell of 400 blossoming cherry branches imported from Japan by air on April 9. About 400 traditional Japanese carp-shaped lanterns in red, pink and white added the colour to the festival. The lanterns symbolise luck, health and happiness. They are often used in Japan during the country’s Festival of Children on May 5.

 

In addition to cultural exchange activities, the festival also had 80 stalls erected by Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises and universities and around 40 eateries featuring Japanese dishes.