There was a lively atmosphere at the sixth Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival in the ancient town of Hoi An, the central province of Quang Nam, on August 15. Japan International Cooperation Agency, Vietnam-Japan Human Resources Cooperation Center, the Japanese city of Sakai and Hoi An's authorities joined hands to hold the event celebrating the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Visitors to the two-day festival enjoyed various performances conveying cultural features of the two countries. It has been a popular annual event since 2003.

Japan's friends marked their appearance in the event by their well-known traditional costumes, cuisine, trades, and festivals. Other features of Japanese culture such as Origami paper folding, kite flying, calligraphy, Obon dancing and a tea ceremony were also featured.

Vietnam showed off an exhibition of paintings by Hoi An's children themed "Embracing Friendship" and a series of traditional trades including pottery, lantern and cake making around the main streets of the ancient town.

"Hoi An's nightlife" gave visitors an example of the traditional peaceful atmosphere of night-time in Hoi An, with the complete silence sometimes interrupted by the pleasing cries of street vendors and melodic sounds of vibrant music throughout the town. Here and there the friendly Hoi An people were engaged in a game of Chinese chess, or playing the guitar or flute, or just chatting with, or reciting a poem for, their guests.

The festival also offered visitors a chance to take part in cultural exchange activities organized by both countries and to enjoy Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine. Many locals and Japanese joined in traditional games like boat racing, tug of war in boats and Japan's Wankofo instant noodle eating contest.

Art exhibitions about life in Japan and Vietnam, Hoi An ancient town and paintings about Japanese nature by Japanese artist Goto Katsumi were showcased in the festival and a photo series commemorating the fifth anniversary of the event was launched.

A series of practical activities such as free medical checks-up for the locals and environment clean-up were included in the event. Seminars on environment protection and the preservation of Cau Bridge and the ancient town were also held.

The Japan Government has given a lot of assistance in preserving Hoi An's material and cultural features and advertising the ancient city to the world since 1990. Japan has also helped locals to improve their lives and protect the environment through many projects.

Organizers hope the event will promote the image of Hoi An to attract more Japanese visitors in particular and international visitors in general to the city.