Hoi An to host Japanese exchange

The historic town of Hoi An will mark its ten-year anniversary of UNESCO world cultural heritage recognition with a Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange program next week.
The seventh Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Days will feature Japanese cuisine and tea ceremonies as well as kimono fashion shows and a mochi (Japanese style ice cream) festival. Cherry blossom growing demonstrations and several displays of Vietnamese culture will also be included August 14-16 at the former international port in the central province of Quang Nam.
A ceremony will also be held on the Cham Islands off the coast, where authorities will receive a UNESCO certificate recognizing the archipelago as a Global Biosphere Reserve.
The cultural activities, some of which will take place on the islands, will include a seminar on the environment and a photo exhibition of the past six exchange celebrations in Hoi An.
Japanese pianist Higuchi Ayuko and Vietnamese famous singer My Linh will perform during the three-day event.
Hoi An was an important Southeast Asian trading port from 15th century until late 17th century, attracting merchants and ships from Japan, China, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The town’s antique and culturally diverse architectures attracted nearly 500,000 tourists last year with one of the most famous buildings Chua Cau (Bridge Pagoda), located inside the town’s covered Japanese bridge, built in the 17th century by Japanese merchants living in the town.