The Japan Vietnam Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, sports, tourism, and entertainment, took place over the weekend at 23/9 Park in District 1. With a diverse range of activities, the festival offered something for everyone.
This year’s event featured an expanded sports program, with activities taking place across multiple locations in the city. The opening cycling event, which attracted around 100 participants, including officials and professional cyclists, kicked off at 7:30 am at Ba Son Metro Station. The 4.6km route wound through the city center’s major streets before concluding at the festival’s main venue, 23/9 Park.
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| Approximately 100 cyclists, including Ho Chi Minh City officials, civil servants, and professional cyclists, took part in the opening event of the 10th Japan Vietnam Festival. The event symbolized not only a sporting endeavor but also the strong friendship between Vietnam and Japan, with a shared commitment to environmental protection and public health. Ho Chi Minh City, March 8, 2025. Photo: N.T. |
Among the participants were notable figures such as Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, vice-chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Hashimoto Seiko, head of the JVF 2025 Organizing Committee, and Takebe Tsutomu, special advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance.
In her speech, Vice-chairwoman Thuy highlighted the significance of the cycling activity, going beyond sports to represent the strong bond between Vietnam and Japan, as well as their shared dedication to environmental and health initiatives.
Ly Dai Nghia, a representative from the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, shared that their team was directly involved in the organizing committee for the first time this year, aiming to showcase a variety of Japanese sports and cultural activities.
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| Takebe Tsutomu, special advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, joined the cycling event, emphasizing the importance of such activities in fostering international friendship and cooperation. Ho Chi Minh City, March 8, 2025. Photo: Thanh Dinh / Tuoi Tre |
The festival offered a unique opportunity to experience Japanese martial arts, with demonstrations of judo, karate, kendo, aikido, and katori shinto ryu taking place at 23/9 Park. Visitors could also try their hand at teeball and sumo at the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Center in District 11 throughout the weekend.
Ngo Quang Vinh, president of the Ho Chi Minh City Cycling and Motor Sports Federation, commented on the growing popularity of cycling in the city, highlighting its role in promoting public health and environmental sustainability.
“We’ve organized similar cycling events with great turnout,” Vinh said, “and with the expansion of public transportation in Ho Chi Minh City, we’re seeing more and more residents embrace cycling as a healthy and convenient way to get around.”
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| The Japan Vietnam Festival offered a diverse range of sports activities, bringing excitement and cultural exchange to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Dinh / Tuoi Tre |
The Japan Vietnam Festival, a collaborative effort between the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Japan-side JVF Organizing Committee, successfully showcased the best of both cultures. According to Japanese Consul General Ono Masuo, the event has grown significantly since its inception in 2013, becoming the largest Vietnam-Japan exchange event in the country.
With each year attracting more participants, the 9th JVF in 2024 welcomed over 420,000 visitors, a testament to the strong relationship between the two nations.
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