HCMC – Japan's Consulate General in HCMC on June 5 promoted traditional cultural activities among Vietnamese children as part of efforts to strengthen long-term people-to-people ties between Japan and Vietnam.

The event was organized jointly by the Consulate General of Japan in HCMC and the Japanese Universities Alumni Club in HCMC (JUACH). The initiative, held to mark International Children's Day, brought together Vietnamese children aged six to 12 for activities including wearing Yukata, making Origami and playing traditional Japanese games such as Kendama and Wanage. Speaking at the event, Consul General ONO Masuo said the program differed from previous years, which often featured anime, manga and cosplay, by placing greater emphasis on traditional Japanese culture. "What children experience when they are young will stay with them throughout their lives," ONO said. He said he hoped the activities would leave lasting memories of Japan among participating children and encourage them to develop long-term interest in the country. ONO said fostering such connections at a young age could help strengthen friendship between Vietnam and Japan in the future, including through study, cultural exchange and business links. He also said the traditional games reflected values that Japan hoped to share with younger generations, including creativity through making use of available materials and respect for objects. Such practices promote environmental awareness and sustainable development, which are priorities shared by both countries, he said. Nguyen, a resident of the former Thu Duc City area who attended the event with her two children aged seven and 13, said she learned about the program through a relative working with Japanese partners. She said she admired Japanese culture and people's attention to detail. Nguyen said her seven-year-old daughter had been excited to attend because she had grown up reading Doraemon, a Japanese manga and animated series popular among children across Asia. The event gave her daughter an opportunity to interact with Japanese people for the first time, learn traditional games from native instructors, try Japanese food and wear traditional Japanese clothing. She described the event as educational and beneficial for children and said she hoped similar programs would be promoted more widely so that more families could participate.