Vietnam Yosakoi Festival opens in Ninh Binh ahead of Japanese PM Takaichi's visit

The fourth edition of the festival, held as part of Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2026, is organized by the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Association in coordination with the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism and Vietnamese and Japanese partners.

The event features two shows—the opening performance at the Tam Chuc Tourist Area in Ninh Binh and a second show in Hanoi the following day—bringing together 242 Vietnamese and Japanese performers.

Dressed in the bright, traditional costumes of Japan's Yosakoi dance, five Vietnamese teams from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho performed alongside five Japanese teams from Tokyo and Osaka at the opening ceremony.

Their performances created a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, reflecting the defining spirit of Yosakoi—dynamic, joyful, and full of positive energy.

The festival forms part of activities marking the 53rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, while also helping welcome PM Takaichi's forthcoming official visit.

Organizers said the festival serves not only as a platform for artistic expression but also as a cultural bridge promoting exchange, mutual learning, and closer ties between the two countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Ngoc Dinh, chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Association, said the event helps deepen public understanding of cultural exchange while strengthening friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

He added that the festival also promotes Tam Chuc as a popular tourist destination and fosters broader cooperation in culture, tourism, trade, investment, and other sectors between Ninh Binh and Japanese partners.

Following the opening in Tam Chuc, the festival continues at Aeon Mall Ha Dong in Hanoi on Sunday, featuring 30 performance groups, including 21 from Vietnam and nine from Japan.

With a large line-up of dancers and high-quality performances, this year's festival is expected to be more dynamic than ever, offering audiences a vibrant, energetic, and immersive cultural experience.