In March 2026, Hai Phong City hosted a series of vibrant Vietnam–Japan cultural exchange activities, attracting the participation of a large number of local residents, students, and members of the Japanese business community living and working in the city.
The events, organized by the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs in coordination with Japanese partners and the Japanese business community in the city, created a rich cultural exchange space, contributing to greater mutual understanding and stronger connections between the people of the two countries.
As Vietnam–Japan relations continue to develop strongly, cultural diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role in connecting communities and strengthening the social foundation for cooperation between the two nations. In Hai Phong, a major industrial and port city in northern Vietnam, Vietnam–Japan cultural exchange activities are organized regularly, helping promote people-to-people exchanges and showcasing the image of a dynamic and internationally integrated city.
A Cultural Convergence of Vietnam and Japan
One of the highlights of the March activities was the Vietnam–Japan Cultural Exchange Festival Hai Phong – Nam Cau Kien 2026, held at Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park.
The festival was jointly organized by the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs, SHINEC Joint Stock Company, and Japanese partners, attracting a large number of residents, visitors, students, and the Japanese business community.
The festival featured a wide range of activities introducing both traditional and contemporary cultural values of Japan. Residents of Hai Phong had the opportunity to admire cherry blossoms following the traditional Hanami custom, experience the Japanese tea ceremony, learn about flower arrangement art, and explore the refined etiquette of Japanese culture.
Performances such as Yosakoi dance, Taiko drum shows, and traditional costume displays featuring Kimono and Yukata created a lively festival atmosphere and attracted a large audience.
In addition, the “Cool Japan” experience area introduced elements of Japanese popular culture such as anime, manga, video games, and creative products by Japanese youth. This area drew particular interest from young visitors, helping build a closer cultural connection between Japanese culture and Vietnamese youth.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Tran Thi Quynh Trang, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that cultural exchange activities help strengthen mutual understanding between the people of the two countries while creating favorable conditions to further promote cooperation between Hai Phong and Japanese localities, organizations, and enterprises.
The festival also provided an opportunity for the Japanese business community investing and operating in Hai Phong to interact with local residents, contributing to the promotion of distinctive Japanese cultural values and strengthening the connection between the business community and the city.
An Academic Platform Inspiring Love for the Japanese Language
Continuing the series of cultural exchange activities, the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Japan Business Association in Vietnam – Hai Phong Branch, organized the Final Round of the 10th Japanese Speech Contest – Hai Phong 2026 on March 15.
The contest attracted 115 contestants, including 30 contestants in the lower secondary school category and 85 contestants in the upper secondary school and above category. After preliminary rounds consisting of written tests and interviews, 10 outstanding contestants were selected to compete in the final round.
In the final round, contestants delivered speeches in Japanese on the themes “Your Dream” and “Circle of Friendship.” Their confident and emotional presentations reflected the aspirations of the younger generation while conveying messages of friendship and human connection that transcend differences in language and culture.
At the end of the competition, Ngo Duc Trong, a student from Class 7B8 of Chu Van An Secondary School, won the First Prize in the lower secondary school category, while Nguyen Mai Duyen, a student from the Japanese-major class of Tran Phu High School for the Gifted, won the First Prize in the upper secondary school category and above.
The year 2026 also marks the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Speech Contest in Hai Phong, which has become an annual cultural exchange activity attracting participation from many schools, training institutions, and the Japanese business community in the city.
Strengthening People-to-People Exchange and Development Cooperation
Japan is currently one of Hai Phong’s most important partners, with numerous investment projects in industrial zones that contribute significantly to the city’s socio-economic development.
Alongside economic cooperation, cultural and educational exchanges between Hai Phong and Japanese localities and organizations have continued to expand. The city has established cooperative relationships with several Japanese localities such as Kitakyushu, Kobe, Niigata, Kagawa, and Yokkaichi, creating a foundation for cultural exchanges, educational cooperation, and community partnership programs.
Through programs such as cultural festivals, Japanese language contests, and artistic exchange activities, people from both countries have more opportunities to meet, understand, and connect with each other. These interactions serve as an important foundation for further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the future.
The cultural diplomacy activities taking place in March once again affirm Hai Phong’s role in promoting people-to-people exchanges and international cooperation. At the same time, they help spread the image of a dynamic, open, and internationally integrated city while contributing to the continued nurturing of friendship between the people of Vietnam and Japan.