The cherry blossom festival in Hanoi in 2018

Some 20,000 branches of Japanese cherry blossoms will be displayed at the festival, while 100 trees will be taken to Hanoi for plantation during the event, it was announced at a press conference held on Wednesday. Many of Vietnam’s eye-catching flowers – such as moth orchids, cybidium orchids, lilies, and poinsettias – will also be exhibited at the festival, which is jointly held by the Hanoi People’s Committee and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. Visitors will enjoy Yosakoi (a unique style of street dance performed by large teams), Shogi (Japanese chess), and Kendama (a traditional cup-and-ball toy).

"This is the 4^th cherry blossom festival held in Hanoi and organizers have tried their best to make the event more attractive. This year, a goodwill ambassador will be selected for the first time to encourage cultural exchange between the two countries. Vietnamese arts will also be part of the festival including ca tru (ceremonial singing) and hat xam (busking music often performed by blind artists)," said To Van Dong, Director of Hanoi’s Department of Culture and Sports.

Exchange programs on education and health care between Vietnam and Japan will take place as part of the event, introducing Japan’s latest books, medical equipment, and education technologies.