Opening the festival, Senator Iwao Matsuda, Vice President of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Federation and Chairman of the Organising Board, called for concerted efforts to make the festival an annual event.

Visitors to the festival have a chance to enjoy delicious dishes offered by Vietnamese restaurants in Tokyo as well as study special cultural and tourism products of Vietnam.

The festival also includes an art performance by professional singers from both countries and an Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) show by designer Duc Hung.

One day earlier, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam Airlines, Danang People’s Committee and the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan jointly held a seminar to promote Vietnam’s tourism in Tokyo. The seminar drew the participation of around 80 representatives from Vietnamese and Japanese travel agencies.

Speaking at the seminar, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh affirmed that Japan is Vietnam’s potential tourism market.

A representative from the Japan Association of Travel Agencies (JATA) pledged to work with Vietnamese companies to boost tourism.

The VNAT, Vietnam Airlines and nearly 20 Vietnamese tourism companies also attended the JATA World Travel Fair 2009, which opened in Tokyo City on September 18.