Delegates cut the ribbon to kick off the Homeland Spring 2025 in Osaka. (Photo: VNA)

Tokyo - The Homeland Spring 2025, themed “Vietnam’s Heart,” kicked off in Osaka, Japan, on January 4, aiming to strengthen love for the homeland, promote Vietnamese culture, foster Vietnam-Japan friendship, and contribute to economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.

The festival saw the participation of Ngo Trinh Ha, Consul General of Vietnam in Osaka, representatives of the Osaka government, along with a large number of Vietnamese residents and Japanese friends.

In his opening remarks, Consul General Ha emphasised that the event provided a meaningful opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Osaka and Japan to come together, interact, and foster solidarity and mutual support. He also underscored the importance of preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural identity while introducing the nation’s traditions to Japanese friends.

He expressed his confidence that the programme will attract not only the Vietnamese community in Japan but also Japanese and international attendees. Ha envisioned it as a unique cultural exchange that will further enhance people-to-people ties and deepen cooperation between Vietnam and Japan

Do Quang Ba, President of the Vietnam-Japan international exchange organisation (FAVIJA) and head of the festival’s organising committee, highlighted the significance of the traditional Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) for overseas Vietnamese. He described it as a time for connection, sharing, and preserving the cultural identity of Vietnam.

Ba explained that Homeland Spring 2025 was part of a series of cultural, artistic, trade exchange, and community activities designed for overseas Vietnamese in Japan, as well as for Japanese and international attendees.

In addition to recreating the festive atmosphere of Vietnam’s traditional Tet, the event featured numerous special activities. These included performances and fashion shows on the main stage, a singing contest, and traditional Vietnamese folk games.

To further promote Vietnamese culture and potential, the organisers hosted exhibitions and fairs, such as the Vietnamese traditional costumes and Ao Dai exhibition and a Calligraphy Space showcasing Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese scripts. A Vietnamese Cuisine Space was also organised, along with a trade fair featuring over 70 booths introducing regional products and Vietnam’s tourism potential.

The event is expected to attract around 100,000 participants./.