VIETNAM FESTIVAL IN KANAGAWA 2026 – A HUB FOR VIETNAMESE CULTURE IN JAPAN

On the morning of September 12, 2026, the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa 2026 opened in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, amidst a vibrant atmosphere, serving as a gathering point for Vietnamese culture, the Vietnamese community, and a large number of Japanese citizens.

From the very start, the festival attracted thousands of attendees despite heavy rain. Activities showcasing Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and imagery continued to draw interest from local residents and international tourists alike, demonstrating the festival's growing reach and the Japanese people's affection for Vietnam.

A highlight of this year's festival was the participation of Da Nang City and Gia Lai Province, offering an opportunity to promote the image, culture, people, and potential of these Vietnamese localities to the residents of Kanagawa and surrounding areas.

At the opening ceremony, Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa and Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu affirmed the significance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges in strengthening the Vietnam-Japan relationship. Events like the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa not only introduce a culturally rich Vietnam to the Japanese public but also create a space for the people of both nations to meet, connect, and deepen mutual understanding.

Speaking at the festival, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy expressed her hope that more Japanese people would come to know, love, and choose Vietnam as a travel destination, while also voicing her expectation that exchange activities between Kanagawa and Vietnam would continue to expand in the future. Over its ten editions, the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa has established itself as a major event promoting Vietnam in Japan. Attracting approximately 2.4 million visitors over the years, the festival demonstrates its growing appeal and capacity to foster connections.

With a community of around 43,000 Vietnamese people living, studying, and working in Kanagawa, the Vietnamese community continues to play a vital role in linking the two societies. The festival brings Vietnamese culture closer to local life while building bridges of friendship between the peoples of both nations.

The Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa 2026 is not merely a cultural event but a vibrant symbol of people-to-people exchange, helping to bring Vietnam closer to the Japanese people and deepening the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.

( Some highlights of the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa)