Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival – Hanoi 2019 took place from March 29 to 31, 2019 in the area of Ly Thai To Monument Park with many special cultural activities.
According to Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival – Hanoi 2019 gathered about 20,000 cherry blossom branches of all kinds, along with signature flowers of Hanoi and Vietnam, creating a colourful festival of beautiful flowers
Along with the flower festival are activities to introduce Japanese culture such as: Japanese tea ceremony, Go (game), Shōgi, traditional game Kendama, Yosakoi dance performance …From Vietnam side were traditional folk music performances of Ca Trù (Ceremonial singing), Hát Xẩm (Blind singing), Múa Bồng (Bồng Dancing).
Within the framework of the festival, there were also workshops and exchange of cooperation and promotion in investment and tourism between Hanoi and Japan on March 29, 2019. Apart from that, there were exchange activities on education and health to share management experience in the field of health and education between Japan and respective Departments of Hanoi and some related organizations; supporting, counseling, medical examination and treatment for some patients with fatal diseases; donating books and equipment to directly support some activities built following the latest technologies from Japan.
The difference of Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival – Hanoi 2019 compared to every year is this year marked the first time it selected a Cherry Blossom Goodwill Ambassador. Accordingly, the selection was organized with the main purpose of encouraging interest, learning and love for the beauty of Japanese culture and its people from Vietnamese young people and through that, promoting cultural exchange activities between Vietnam and Japan for the youth to contribute to the strengthening and deepening the cooperation between two countries in the future.
Selection criteria for Cherry Blossom Goodwill Ambassador 2019 was not only focusing on those with good look and charisma but also particularly on those who have a keen interest and knowledge about Japan and the friendship between Vietnam – Japan and at the same time, possess Japanese language proficiency and can actively participate in various activities as a Goodwill Ambassador.
Eligible contestants are female Vietnamese citizens aged between 18 – 28, currently living or studying in Hanoi or currently living in other provinces within Vietnam but holding a Household Registration Book in Hanoi. Within the framework of the festival, in addition to experiencing different rounds to compete on knowledge, communication skills and speaking skills…the contestants had the opportunity to take part in various meaningful activities such as learning about Japanese culture along with other charitable and social activities.