🇻🇳🇯🇵 The 21st Hoi An–Japan Cultural Exchange Festival (2025)

🇻🇳🇯🇵 The 21st Hoi An–Japan Cultural Exchange Festival (2025) Event Period December 5–7, 2025 Location Around the Hoi An Ancient Town (Hoi An Ancient City) Organizer Hoi An City – Japanese local governments and cultural organizations Overview One of the oldest international cultural exchange events in Central Vietnam, this is a signature festival commemorating the historic ties between Hoi An and Japan. (The date may change, so please be sure to check local media.) ✅️ Meaning and Background of the Festival In the 16th-17th centuries, Hoi An was an international trading port where Japanese merchants came and went, and the Hoi An Japanese Bridge, called the 'Japanese Bridge (日本橋)', is the symbol of that history. This festival commemorates that historical relationship and promotes cultural, artistic, and tourism exchange between the two countries Held every year to strengthen it. ✅️ Main Programs During the festival period, the entire old town of Hoi An transforms into a 'little Japanese village' with such a rich lineup of programs. ⭐ Performances Taiko (Japanese drum) performance Traditional Japanese dance and folk performances Collaboration stage featuring traditional Vietnamese folk songs and dances Nighttime lantern live performance ⭐ Experiences & Exhibitions Kimono and yukata experience Japanese-style lantern making Traditional craft experiences (woodworking, fan decoration, calligraphy) Japanese food festival (takoyaki, ramen, sushi, and more) ⭐ Exchange events Vietnam–Japan traditional game experiences Street parade International photo exhibition and artist exchange meeting between the two countries Hoi An–Japan friendship ceremony ✅️ Festival atmosphere As evening falls, the streets of Hoi An become even more romantic with lantern lights and Japanese-style decorations Around the riverside, photo zones and food zones styled like Japanese houses are set up. Tourists, locals, and Japanese travelers all gather in one place, creating the most peaceful yet lively atmosphere. It's a popular event that draws tens of thousands of visitors over 2-3 days each year. ✅️ Recommended spots to visit Night lighting at the Japanese Bridge (Nihonbashi) Renting a kimono/yukata and strolling along the lantern street The riverside performance stage (the most popular photo spot), the traditional Japanese experience booths (especially calligraphy and fan crafts), and the traditional Japanese snacks in the food zone — the colors of Japanese culture blend beautifully with Hoi An's distinctive old-world charm throughout the whole town, making this one of travelers' favorite winter festivals. With such a large scale and such diverse content, it's truly worth experiencing. There's so much to see and experience that you can't fully enjoy it in just one day, so if you're staying in Hoi An, I hope you make some wonderful memories there ^^