Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and Japan have rapidly developed and expanded across various fields. Thua Thien Hue Province, in particular, has established bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Japanese regions such as Kyoto, Gifu, and cities like Shizuoka, Saijo, Sasayama. Various provincial-level agencies and central government agencies operating within the province have also signed agreements and effectively implemented cooperation, including the Thua Thien Hue Water Supply Joint Stock Company with the Yokohama Water Bureau and Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

In 2009, Thua Thien Hue (formerly Thuận Hóa - Phú Xuân) had the honor of hosting Crown Prince Naruhito (now Emperor Naruhito) during his official visit to Vietnam. In the subsequent years, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (now Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko) continued to choose Hue as a destination during their official visits to Vietnam in 2017. These visits were not only an honor for the province but also served as a special milestone, laying the foundation for deepening relations with Japan in various aspects.

Over the past 50 years, people-to-people diplomacy has been dynamic and has achieved significant results in various fields such as economics, culture, social affairs, education, healthcare, environment, infrastructure development, and investment attraction. Thua Thien Hue has become a reliable destination for people's friendship delegations and high-level delegations from Japan.

In 2023, Vietnam and Japan celebrate a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

To actively celebrate this momentous occasion and create a festive atmosphere nationwide, the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province has issued directives, assigning the Thua Thien Hue Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association to lead the planning and execution of various cultural events throughout the year 2023. Among these events, a highlight is the "Vietnam-Japan Cultural Day in Thua Thien Hue Province."

This event features a wide range of vibrant activities, including Japanese language speech contests, the Mini Hue Festival at Hue University of Foreign Languages, and culminates in a spectacular "Night of Cultural Performances Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam-Japan Diplomatic Relations" held last night.

The performances, showcasing the traditional cultures of both nations, were meticulously choreographed and captivating. These included the "Harmony of the Red Lacquer Bloodline" performance by Nguyen Tri Phuong Middle School, the portrayal of Vietnamese schoolgirls in the Dong Khanh Girl's School with the "Ao Dai" scene and the song "Cô gái nữ sinh Đồng Khánh," the presentation of the Nhật Bình Kimono, an exclusive traditional female attire worn by the Nguyen Dynasty's royal women, a lantern dance depicting the tranquil countryside on a full moon night, a traditional Japanese martial art performance, Karate-Do, a vivid reenactment of a "Traditional Wedding," vividly portraying an ancient wedding ceremony and celebrating the solemnity of rituals and the beauty of Vietnamese culture past and present.

Additionally, an Opera titled "Công nữ Anio" was performed, narrating a love story between a Vietnamese princess and a Japanese merchant in the early 17th century. This opera was organized by the coordinating team consisting of Brain Group, Yamaha Music Vietnam Co., Ltd., the International Exchange Promotion Association (NPO), in collaboration with the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam.

The program concluded with an "Ao Dai Show," a story recounting the history and development of Vietnam's traditional Ao Dai culture, bridging the gap between royal Ao Dai and traditional Ao Dai, and highlighting the fusion of ancient and modern culture. This segment aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the history of Vietnam's traditional Ao Dai through different eras and honor the cultural heritage of Vietnam, under the theme "Honoring the History of Traditional Vietnamese Culture."

Organizers:

Thua Thien Hue Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association.
Co-organizer: VKSTAR Joint Stock Company.
Directors: Ms. Nguyen Lan Vy & Mr. Phan Quy.
Artistic Team: VKSTAR Joint Stock Company, Okinawa Art Troupe, Hue Intermediate School of Culture and Arts, Nguyen Tri Phuong Middle School.
The event celebrated the deep cultural ties between Vietnam and Japan and marked the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with an array of spectacular performances and exhibitions, providing a platform for cultural exchange and understanding between the two nations.