Across various prefectures, Vietnamese festivals are held annually to promote traditional values and connect Japanese citizens, as well as international friends, with Vietnam. The 2026 Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa offered visitors a chance to experience Vietnamese culture through traditional arts, cuisine and a range of cultural activities.
In the vibrant atmosphere of Yokohama, Kanagawa, traditional water puppetry continues to captivate international audiences. In a unique first, the performances featured puppets dressed in traditional Japanese attire, beautifully illustrating the cultural harmony and deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.
People's Artist Nguyen Tien Dzung, Director of the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre, said: "Whenever we attend the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa, we always bring something new to the audience. Artists must constantly innovate. We are proud, viewing ourselves as cultural ambassadors bringing Vietnam's unique art to international friends."
Brian, American tourist said: "We just came here but it's very lively. The water puppets are interesting, as are the stories behind the movements, the different types of puppets and the skilled performers who operate them".
The Vietnam Festa is an annual event co-organised by the Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan. 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the event, drawing an estimated 220,000 attendees.
Under the theme "Connecting Hearts, Looking to the Future," the festival provides a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, bringing the people of Vietnam and Japan closer and deepening bilateral cooperation.
Imai Satoshi, Executive Secretary of Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa Executive Committee, said: "With each festival, we welcome a growing number of visitors. As Japanese attendees experience the event, they gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and cuisine, bringing dishes like pho and banh my closer to the local community, and ultimately encouraging them to visit Vietnam.
Kuroiwa Yuji, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, said: "In its first year, I never imagined this event would endure for so long. It is Vietnam's rapid economic growth, along with its workforce contributing to Kanagawa, that has increasingly drawn the attention of our residents and prefectural authorities. We all share a strong desire to further elevate the relationship between Vietnam and Japan.
Beyond fostering friendship, the festival serves as a central gathering place for the overseas Vietnamese. Here, they can meet, participate in cultural activities together, and enjoy the authentic flavours of their homeland.
This vibrant cultural showcase in Kanagawa not only brings joy to thousands of festival-goers, but also serves as a vivid testament to the ever-strengthening ties between Vietnam and Kanagawa Prefecture. Building on this momentum, the cultural exchange will soon carry over to Hanoi, which is set to host the Kanagawa Festival this coming November.
