``Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa 2016'' will be held from October 28th to 30th, a 3-day experience where you can experience Vietnamese people, goods, and culture!

Not just food! Vietnam events that encourage people, economics, and cultural exchanges

——I heard that “Vietnam Festa” started last year. Please tell me the background.
 

Yazawa : When you hear Vietnam Festival, you imagine a food festival with stalls selling local cuisine, right? However, Kanagawa Prefecture's "Vietnam Festa" is much more than that. Since Governor Kuroiwa took office, Kanagawa Prefecture has made a concerted effort to promote economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges with Vietnam. For example, we are actively supporting the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises in the prefecture into Vietnam by utilizing part of a rental factory built and operated by a private company near Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, as the Kanagawa Industrial Park. Two years ago, when Governor Kuroiwa visited Vietnam and met with the president and prime minister, the idea of holding an event became a hot topic, and it was decided to hold a ``Vietnam Festa'' in Kanagawa Prefecture. A variety of people, mainly local governments and companies, collaborated to hold the first event last year.
 

Mr. Nobuaki Yazawa

--So economic exchange came first.
 

Yazawa : That's right. Last year, many Vietnamese government officials, including the general secretary of the Communist Party, visited Kanagawa Prefecture and held seminars as part of the "Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa" economic program, as well as matching international students with companies in the prefecture. Starting the next day, we held a festival that the general public could enjoy as a cultural exchange program. This is an event where you can see, eat, and experience.
 

--It seems like last year was a huge success.
 

Yazawa : Initially, we set a goal of mobilizing 200,000 people, but by the time we opened the lid, we had about 400,000 people. Following last year's success, we have decided to hold the event again this year. Moreover, this year is also a year of celebration as the prefectural office building celebrates its 88th anniversary. The governor is also putting in a lot of effort, so we want to make this an even better event than last year.
 

Last year's pattern

——Why was the “Vietnam Festa” in Kanagawa so successful?
 

Yazawa : I think it's because you can enjoy not only food but also a wide range of culture such as theater and live performances. I think the most important thing was that they closed off public roads and created an extraordinary space. Another reason for its success is that it has been dyed entirely Vietnamese without giving off a multinational feel. Last year was Silver Week, so we had a lot of customers.
 

——Are there many Japanese customers?
 

Yazawa : Most of them are Japanese. However, there are currently over 10,000 Vietnamese living in Kanagawa Prefecture. These people also came to the event. Moreover, the number of visitors from Vietnam to Japan greatly exceeded last year, probably because Vietnamese TV stations visited the country for coverage. I think I was able to contribute to inbound tourism as well.
 

Full of participatory events such as Instagram campaigns and lantern nights

——This year, “Vietnam Festa” will be held from October 28th to 30th. The title ``Let's fill your eyes with Vietnamese colors!'' is also impressive.
 

Yazawa : "Vietnam Festa" starts on the 28th, but "Vietnam Month" actually starts on October 1st. The idea is not to be a one-day event, but to root and develop Vietnamese culture. Therefore, we are experimenting with various things, such as holding a Vietnamese food fair at hotels in the Minato Mirai area and exhibiting photographs by French photographer Rihan Crocbiel, who lives in Hoi An. In other words, "Vietnam Festa" is the finale of Vietnam Month. That's why I gave it this title.
 

——Please tell us the highlights.
 

Yazawa : First of all, the water puppet show. This is a folk performing art with a history of 1,000 years, and we invite theater troupe members from the area. The oval pool serves as a theater, and the members of the theater troupe immerse themselves in the water and manipulate puppets. It's so much fun to move around, jump, and blow off fireworks. If you donate 1,500 yen as an individual sponsor, we will give you a viewing ticket at a convenience store.
 

water puppet show

We will also promote collaboration between Japan and Vietnam. On the 30th, the popular local band MTV band performed with students from Magcal Performing Arts Academy, a performing arts talent development project in Kanagawa Prefecture. Along with the performance, we plan to perform a dance choreographed by Lucky Ikeda. We are also planning to perform Vietnamese songs by pianist Mari Kumamoto, who has been appointed as a Magcal Ambassador. Exchange dance performance between Zama Sogo High School and Vietnamese people, BamgBoom playing handmade bamboo instruments! The concert looks interesting too.
 
There will also be a talk show with actress Rina Takeda, who is from Kanagawa Prefecture and is the prefecture's animal welfare ambassador. Kanagawa prefecture's mascot character will also appear at the venue (lol).
 

——Are there any events where people can participate rather than just watching?
 

Yazawa : If you donate 3,000 yen as an individual sponsor, we will give you a lantern. On the 29th, we are planning to hold a ``Moving Lantern Night'' where people will parade down Nihon Odori Street carrying these lanterns. Thousands of lanterns were donated by Vietnam's Quang Nam province, and each one has LED lights inside. It's a rare experience to walk together while the road is illuminated with lights. You can apply with Seven Tickets, so please come and join us. We will also hold a workshop on painting Vietnamese bamboo umbrellas and try on Ao Dai.
 
Additionally, this year we are running a major campaign using Instagram. If you follow Kanachan TV's official account "kanachantv" and post a photo with the hashtag "#VietnamColor", you will be entered into a lottery to win a suite room ticket at Hotel New Grand or a round trip ticket to Vietnam. You can also win gorgeous prizes.
 

——Although it is not a food festival, it seems that there will be many Vietnamese restaurants. Please tell us about the characteristics of Vietnamese food.
 

Yazawa : Vietnam is a rice country like us. It is similar to Chinese cuisine in terms of the use of oil, but it also incorporates French culture. The spices are not too harsh, so it feels natural and good for the body, just like Japanese food. Pho, which is noodles made from rice flour, and banh mi, which is eaten with beef and vegetables sandwiched between French bread, are famous. Just like in Japan, the flavors in Vietnam differ slightly depending on the region, so it might be interesting to compare the flavors. Since this event will be held at the end of October, there will probably be many restaurants serving warm pho.
 

——It seems like the venue has expanded even further this year.
 

Yazawa : Last year, we closed off Nihon Odori Street and used the entire prefectural office. This year, in addition to Nihon Odori, we are also using Zou-no-hana Park and part of the prefectural government building.
 

A speech contest for international students will also be held in the main conference hall of the prefectural government building. Last year, we had international students visit famous spots in Kanagawa Prefecture. Their perspective was different from ours, and it was innovative and very interesting. This year's theme is "What I think is the charm of Kanagawa Prefecture." Currently, there are approximately 2,200 Vietnamese students in Kanagawa Prefecture, and those who apply will participate in the contest. Speaking skills will also be tested, so you can expect a high-level contest.
 

As the name Magcal suggests, this is an event that attracts many people.

——Mr. Yazawa, please tell us about any new attractions of Vietnam that you have discovered through running “Vietnam Festa”.
 

Yazawa : To begin with, the relationship between Japan and Vietnam is very old. During the era of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, merchant ships crossed the island, and Hoi An still has a bridge called Nihonbashi, as well as the family crests of the Toyotomi and Tokugawa families. It is said that there was once a Japanese town. I learned about this history for the first time through my involvement in the Vietnam Festa.
 
On the other hand, Vietnam has gone through a war, and there are many Vietnamese refugees living in Kanagawa Prefecture. I felt that it was necessary to convey this political background and their thoughts. Meanwhile, a new culture is blooming locally. Being a socialist country, there is a tendency to value cooperation, but I feel that young people have a strong spirit of challenge, wanting to ``achieve something together.''
 

As for my future work, I would like to exchange languages with them. Opportunities to come into contact with the Vietnamese language are rare. Moreover, since it is a multi-ethnic country, the language differs depending on the region. The country is long and long, and is larger than Japan. At "Vietnam Festa", we would like you to interact with people from various regions.
 

——It would be great if we could have closer contact and exchange.
 

Yazawa : The governor is promoting magnet culture, or magcal, which attracts people with the charm of culture and art and creates vitality in the region. I hope that this "Vietnam Festa" will also be an event that attracts many people through cultural exchange between the two countries.
 

--Please give us a final message.
 

Yazawa : This year, we are increasing the level of participation through an Instagram campaign, privately sponsored water puppet shows, and lantern nights. We will continue to provide various information, including from the governor, so please take a look at our official website. We also think that we can use Vietnam Festa as a starting point to hold other types of events, such as a Vietnam music festival. I would like to deepen the exchange of people, goods, and culture in various ways.
 

During October, go to hotels or supermarkets and enjoy Vietnamese food!

 
Yokohama Grand Intercontinental Hotel Seafood Bistro Pier21
 

A Vietnamese lunch plate where you can choose a main dish in conjunction with Vietnam Festa.

Period: October 1st (Saturday) to October 31st (Monday), 2016
Business hours: 11:30~ (LO 14:30)
http://www.interconti.co.jp/yokohama/restaurant/restaurant/pier21/index.html

 
Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu All Day Dining "Cafe Tosca"
 

Vietnamese food (pho) corner set up at lunch buffet

Period: October 1st (Saturday) to October 31st (Monday), 2016
Business hours: 11:30-15:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 16:00)
TEL: 045-682-2218
http://ybht.co.jp

 
Yokohama Royal Park Hotel Cafe Flora
 

Providing a special lunch prepared by the chef

Period: October 11th (Tuesday) to October 31st (Monday), 2016
Business hours: 11:00~ (LO 14:00)
TEL: 045-221-1155
http://www.yrph.com/restaurants/flora

 
Rose Hotel Yokohama Brasserie Mily La Foret
 

Vietnamese food available at lunch buffet

Period: October 1st to October 31st, 2016
Business hours: 11:30-15:00
TEL: 045-681-2916 (7:00-22:00)
http://www.rosehotelyokohama.com/content/restaurant0398

 
Keikyu Store
 

Vietnamese food corners have been set up at 33 Keikyu Stores and Motomachi Union stores in the prefecture and 3 stores in Tokyo.
We will be selling while introducing easy menus that you can enjoy at home.

Period: October 10th (Monday/holiday) to October 13th (Thursday), Motomachi/Kamakura store: 12th (Wednesday) to 16th (Sunday), 2016
http://www.keikyu-store.co.jp/

 
Navios Yokohama Restaurant "Ocean"
 

At the lunch buffet, ``Banh Mi Sandwich'' is available as a main dish.
In addition, a salad, hors d'oeuvre, dessert, and soft drink are included in the buffet style set.

Period: October 1st (Sat) - October 31st (Mon), 2016
Business hours: 11:30-15:00 (LO 14:30)
http://www.navios-yokohama.com/category02/

 
Rembrandt Hotel Atsugi
 

To commemorate our first overseas expansion to Nha Trang, Vietnam, we held a Vietnam Fair at the hotel's restaurant and bar.

Period: October 1st (Sat) - October 31st (Mon), 2016
http://rembrandt-hotel.co.jp/atsugi/13882.html

Cafe dining "Palm Tree"
 

``French Vietnamese'' is a combination of French and Vietnamese cuisine. The chef's special creative dishes will be featured on the lunch buffet.

Business hours: 11:30-14:30 (Special mega menu available at 12:00 and 13:00!)
http://rembrandt-hotel.co.jp/atsugi/5716.html

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Chinese dining "Turfan"
 

Vietnam special course is available for a limited time only. We also offer a Vietnamese lunch course that you can easily enjoy.

Lunch: 11:30-14:00
Dinner: 17:30-21:00
・Lunch course http://rembrandt-hotel.co.jp/atsugi/13997.html
・Special selection course http://rembrandt-hotel.co.jp/atsugi/14010.html

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bar rembrandt
 

In addition to Vietnamese-inspired cocktails, there will also be beer and eight types of Vietnamese small plates.

Business hours: 17:30-24:00
http://rembrandt-hotel.co.jp/atsugi/14027.html

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lobby lounge
 

We offer Vietnamese-style zenzai "Che" and Vietnamese coffee.

Business hours: 10:00-17:30
http://rembrandt-hotel.co.jp/atsugi/14025.html

 
JICA Yokohama International Center Restaurant with a view of the port ``Port Terrace Cafe''
 

We offer dishes recommended by our Vietnamese staff.

Period: October 1st (Sat) - October 31st (Mon), 2016
Business hours: 17:30-21:00 (L/O 20:30)
http://www.jica.go.jp/yokohama/topics/2016/ku57pq00000ftrt9.html

 
Global Citizen Kanagawa Plaza
 

On October 16th (Sunday), we will screen the Vietnamese-Japanese co-production movie "Blowin' in the Wind of Vietnam"! Enjoy this much-talked-about movie based on a true story starring Keiko Matsuzaka.

Date and time: October 16th (Sun) ①10:00~ ②14:00~ ③16:30~
Doors open 30 minutes earlier for ① and ② Doors open 15 minutes earlier for ③
*We recommend ③ as times ① and ② are expected to be crowded.
Venue: Earth Plaza 5th floor video hall
Fee: Adults 400 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 100 yen
No application required, first 120 people on the day of each session
http://www.earthplaza.jp/ai1ec_event/161016vietnam?instance_id=

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Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa 2016
http://www.infiorata88.com/vfes-kanagawa2016/