Japanese ambassador embraces Vietnamese Tet through travel, cuisine, culture

Throughout the holiday, the ambassador frequently posted updates on his personal page, sharing snapshots of his experiences and expressing admiration for Vietnam’s culture, landscapes, and people.

On February 16, one day before Tet, Ito visited Bach Ma Temple, an ancient temple in Hanoi dating back more than 1,000 years, to pray for luck and prosperity in 2026.

A few days later, he described a ‘wonderful Tet holiday’ in Con Dao Special Zone, an island administered by Ho Chi Minh City, where he jogged along the coast, admired the sea, and enjoyed lively lion dance performances.

On the third day of Tet, Ito traveled to coastal Quy Nhon, a ward in Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands, saying its scenic shoreline and local cuisine delighted him.

During his stay, he visited the well-known spiritual and cultural landmarks Thien Hung Pagoda and Banh It Tower.

He also developed a strong fondness for the local specialty ‘banh xeo tom nhay’ (sizzling shrimp pancakes), describing the dish as ‘delicious and special.’

The ambassador even filmed a clip of the crispy pancakes, accompanied by the festive Vietnamese song ‘Tet oi Tet a’ (literally translated as ‘Oh Tet, Dear Tet!’), performed by Duc Phuc, Hoa Minzy, and Erik.

He later concluded the holiday with visits to prominent religious landmarks in Hanoi, including Tay Ho and Quan Thanh Temples, and Tran Quoc and Kim Lien Pagodas.

In a video posted on the Facebook page of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam several days ago, he said this marked his second time celebrating the Lunar New Year in the Southeast Asian country.

During last year’s holiday, he and his wife visited temples across Hanoi, where they encountered crowds of locals attending early-year ceremonies.

He said he was particularly moved by the sincerity of young people offering prayers, while his wife recalled being struck by the festive streets filled with color, from golden kumquat trees to pink peach blossoms and Vietnamese flags fluttering everywhere.

The ambassador noted that he had not been able to try many traditional Tet dishes during his first celebration in Vietnam, making him especially eager to sample more festive foods this year.

In the video, his wife wore a stylized red ‘ao dai’ (traditional Vietnamese long gown) featuring motifs inspired by the kiri (paulownia) crest, an official emblem of the Japanese government, and chrysanthemums representing the Japanese imperial family.

Such motifs symbolize cultural harmony between Japan and Vietnam.

The ambassador wore an ‘ao dai’ embroidered with a pair of cranes, which he noted symbolize longevity and good fortune in both Japan and Vietnam, along with turtles.

He added that the circular patterns on his outfit resembled the country’s national flag.

The couple ended the clip by wishing viewers a Happy New Year in Vietnamese.

Earlier, the diplomat issued a 2026 Lunar New Year message on the Japanese Embassy’s website, highlighting key diplomatic milestones between Japan and Vietnam over the past year.

He noted that this year’s zodiac animal is the horse, long regarded as a symbol of momentum and progress.

He expressed hope that, like a powerful horse galloping across vast lands, the two countries would continue strengthening their friendship under the comprehensive strategic partnership framework and reach new heights together, pledging his personal commitment to advancing that goal.