A musical performance on the opening night of the 9th Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange Festival (Photo: Dantri)

Japanese artists and students f-rom Kim Dong secondary school in Hoi An town held a performance showcasing the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.

During the two day event, sport and cultural activities like calligraphy exhibitions, stick pushing competition, boat racing and popular games of Vietnam will take place.

On the final night of the festival, a prayer ceremony will be held for all the victims of this year’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The People’s Committee of Hoi An town and the Japan International Cooperation Agency has also organized a seminar to discuss ways to lure more Japanese visitors to the ancient town of Hoi An, a world cultural heritage site, which already receives 16,000 Japanese visitors annually.

Hoi An has several relics bearing the hallmark of Japan like the three Japanese tombs, remains of Hizen pottery and  the Cau Pagoda, an important symbol of Hoi An town.

The Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival is held annually in Hoi An since 2003 to focus attention on this World Cultural Heritage Site and to lure in more local and international tourists, particularly Japanese tourists.