Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa 2016 will be held from October 28th to 30th, a three-day event where you can experience Vietnamese people, things, and culture!

It's not just food! A Vietnamese event promoting people-to-people, economic and cultural exchange

--I heard that the Vietnam Festa started last year. Could you tell us the background to this?
 

Yazawa : When you hear "Vietnam Festa," you probably imagine a food festival with stalls selling local cuisine, right? But Kanagawa Prefecture's "Vietnam Festa" is much more than that. Since Governor Kuroiwa took office, Kanagawa Prefecture has been working on economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges with Vietnam. For example, Kanagawa Prefecture is actively supporting the advancement of small and medium-sized enterprises in the prefecture into Vietnam by utilizing part of a rented factory built and operated by a private company near Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, as the "Kanagawa Industrial Park." When Governor Kuroiwa visited Vietnam two years ago and met with the president and prime minister, the idea of holding an event came up, and it was decided to hold a "Vietnam Festa" in Kanagawa Prefecture. Local governments and companies worked together to hold the first event last year.
 

Mr. Nobuhisa Yazawa

——So economic exchanges came first.
 

Yazawa : That's right. Last year, many important Vietnamese government officials, including the Secretary General of the Communist Party, visited Kanagawa Prefecture and participated in the "Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa" economic program, which included seminars and matching between international students and companies in the prefecture. The next day, a festival was held that the general public could enjoy as a cultural exchange program. It was an event where you could see, eat, and experience things.
 

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

Yazawa : Initially, we aimed to attract 200,000 people, but in the end, we had about 400,000. Due to the success of last year, we decided to hold the event again this year. Moreover, this year is also the year of celebration for the 88th anniversary (88th birthday) of the prefectural office building. The governor is also putting a lot of effort into it, so we would like to make it an even bigger event than last year.
 

Last year's event

--Why was Kanagawa's Vietnam Festa a success?
 

Yazawa : I think it's because you can enjoy a wide range of culture, including food, theater, and live performances. Above all, I think the biggest factor was closing off the public roads and creating an extraordinary space. Another reason for its success was that it was painted entirely in Vietnamese colors, without trying to create a multinational feel. Last year, it was during Silver Week, so we had a lot of customers come.
 

--Are there many Japanese customers?
 

Yazawa : Most of them are Japanese. However, currently, there are more than 10,000 Vietnamese living in Kanagawa Prefecture. These people also came to visit. Moreover, perhaps because Vietnamese TV stations came to cover the event, the number of visitors from Vietnam to Japan last year was much higher than the number of Vietnamese visitors. I think we were able to contribute to inbound tourism.
 

A variety of participatory events, including Instagram campaigns and Lantern Nights

--This year, the Vietnam Festa will be held from October 28th to 30th. The title "Fill the place with Vietnamese colors!" is quite striking.
 

Yazawa : The "Vietnam Festa" will be held from the 28th, but in fact "Vietnam Month" started on October 1st. It's not a one-day event, but rather an idea to establish and develop Vietnamese culture. That's why we're trying various things, such as holding a Vietnamese food fair at hotels in the Minato Mirai area and exhibiting photos by French photographer Rihan Croccovielle, who lives in Hoi An. In other words, "Vietnam Festa" is the finale of Vietnam Month. That's why we gave it this title.
 

--What are the highlights?
 

Yazawa : First up is the water puppet show. It's a folk art form with 1000 years of history, and we'll invite a local theater troupe. The theater will be an oval pool, and the troupe will be immersed in the water and controlling the puppets. They'll move around, jump, and blow fireworks - it's really entertaining. If you donate 1500 yen as a personal sponsor, you can get a 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 will perform with students from the Magcal Performing Arts Academy, a Kanagawa Prefecture performing arts talent development program. Along with the performance, they plan to perform a dance choreographed by Lucky Ikeda. In addition, we are also planning to perform Vietnamese songs by pianist Mari Kumamoto, who has been appointed as a Magcal ambassador. The exchange dance performance between Zama Comprehensive High School and the Vietnamese people, and the concert by BamgBoom!, which plays handmade bamboo instruments, also look interesting.
 
There will also be a talk show with actress Rina Takeda, who is from Kanagawa and is the prefecture's animal welfare ambassador. The Kanagawa mascot character will also be making an appearance at the venue (laughs).
 

--Are there any events where people can participate rather than just watch?
 

Yazawa : We are giving away lanterns to individuals who donate 3,000 yen. On the 29th, we plan to hold a "Moving Lantern Night" where people will hold these lanterns and parade down Japan Boulevard. Thousands of lanterns were donated by Quang Nam Province in Vietnam, and some of them have LED lights inside. It's a rare experience to walk together while lighting up the road. You can apply with Seven Tickets, so please come along. We will also be holding a workshop on painting Vietnamese bamboo umbrellas and an experience of trying on an ao dai.
 
This year, we are also running a major Instagram campaign. 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 luxurious prizes such as a stay in a suite at the Hotel New Grand or a round-trip flight to Vietnam.
 

--Although it's not a food festival, it seems that there will be many Vietnamese restaurants. What are the characteristics of Vietnamese food?
 

Yazawa : Vietnam is a rice country, just like us. It's similar to Chinese cuisine in that it uses oil, but it also blends in French culture. It's not too spicy, so it feels natural and healthy, just like Japanese food. Pho, a noodle dish made from rice flour, and banh mi, which is French bread stuffed with beef and vegetables, are famous. Just like in Japan, Vietnam has slightly different seasonings depending on the region, so it might be interesting to try them and compare them. This time, the event is at the end of October, so I imagine there will be many restaurants serving hot pho.
 

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

Yazawa : Last year, we closed off Nihon Boulevard and used the entire prefectural office. This year, in addition to Nihon Boulevard, we are using Zo-no-hana Park and part of the prefectural office main building.
 

A speech contest for international students will also be held in the main conference hall of the prefectural office. Last year, we had international students visit famous places in Kanagawa Prefecture. Their perspective was different from ours, and was novel and very interesting. This year's theme is "What I think is the charm of Kanagawa Prefecture." There are currently about 2,200 Vietnamese international students in Kanagawa Prefecture, and applicants from among them will be expected to take part in the contest. Speaking skills will also be competed, so we can expect a high-level contest.
 

As the name Magcal suggests, this event will attract many people.

--What new charms of Vietnam have you discovered through running the Vietnam Festa? Please tell us.
 

Yazawa : The relationship between Japan and Vietnam dates back a long time. Merchant ships crossed the border in the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and there is a bridge called Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, and the family crests of the Toyotomi and Tokugawa families remain. Apparently there used to be a Japanese town there as well. I learned about this history for the first time when I was involved in the Vietnam Festa.
 
On the other hand, Vietnam has been through war, and many refugees from Vietnam live in Kanagawa Prefecture. I felt that it was necessary to convey this political background and their thoughts. Meanwhile, a new culture is beginning to blossom there. As a socialist country, there is a tendency to value cooperation, but I feel that young people have a strong spirit of challenge and want to "achieve something together."
 

One of my future goals is to have a language exchange with them. There aren't many opportunities to come into contact with the Vietnamese language. Moreover, because it is a multi-ethnic country, the language differs depending on the region. The country is long vertically and larger than Japan. I hope that the Vietnam Festa will provide an opportunity for people to interact with people from various regions.
 

--It would be great if this leads to more familiar interactions and exchanges.
 

Yazawa : The Governor is promoting Magnet Culture, or Magcul for short, which attracts people with the appeal of culture and the arts and creates a lively local community. I hope that this year's Vietnam Festa will also be an event that attracts many people through cultural exchange between the two countries.
 

——Finally, please give us a message.
 

Yazawa : This year, we are increasing participation with an Instagram campaign, a water puppet show sponsored by a private individual, and lantern nights. We will continue to provide various information, including from the governor, so please check the official website. We are also thinking about holding different types of events, such as a Vietnam Music Festival, starting from the Vietnam Festa. We would like to deepen exchanges between people, things, and culture in various ways.
 

Follow us on Instagram and post a photo with the hashtag "#VietnamColor". We'll give away some great prizes, including air tickets to Vietnam, accommodation vouchers, and meal vouchers! We look forward to receiving your applications!

■Application period: Saturday, October 1st to Wednesday, November 30th, 2016
■Please check the official website for details on how to apply.

During this October period, head to hotels, supermarkets, etc. and enjoy Vietnamese food!

 
Yokohama Grand Intercontinental Hotel Seafood Bistro Pier21
 

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

Period: Saturday, October 1st to Monday, October 31st, 2016
Business hours: 11:30～ (last order 14:30)

 
Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu All Day Dining "Cafe Tosca"
 

Vietnamese food (Pho) corner set up at lunch buffet

Period: Saturday, October 1st to Monday, October 31st, 2016
Business hours: 11:30-15:00 (16:00 on weekends and holidays)
TEL: 045-682-2218

 
Yokohama Royal Park Hotel Cafe Flora
 

Chef's special lunch

Period: Tuesday, October 11th to Monday, October 31st, 2016
Business hours: 11:00～ (last order 14:00)
TEL: 045-221-1155

 
Rose Hotel Yokohama Brasserie Millie La Foret
 

Vietnamese cuisine now available at the lunch buffet

Period: October 1st to October 31st, 2016
Business hours: 11:30-15:00
TEL: 045-681-2916 (7:00-22:00)

 
Keikyu Store
 

Vietnamese food corners will be set up in 33 Keikyu Store and Motomachi Union stores in the prefecture and three stores in Tokyo.
We sell products while introducing easy recipes that can be enjoyed at home.

Period: October 10th (Monday, holiday) to October 13th (Thursday), 2016; Motomachi and Kamakura stores: October 12th (Wednesday) to October 16th (Sunday)

 
Navios Yokohama Restaurant "Ocean"
 

The buffet lunch will feature a choice of main dish: banh mi sandwich.
In addition, salad, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and soft drinks are included in the buffet set.

Period: Saturday, October 1st to Monday, October 31st, 2016
Business hours: 11:30-15:00 (last order 14:30)

 
Rembrandt Hotel Atsugi
 

To commemorate the hotel's first overseas expansion to Nha Trang, Vietnam, a Vietnam fair will be held in the hotel's restaurants and bars.

Period: Saturday, October 1st to Monday, October 31st, 2016

Cafe Dining "Palm Tree"
 

"French Vietnamese" combines French cuisine with Vietnamese food. The chef's special creations are available at the lunch buffet.

Business hours: 11:30-14:30 (Special mega-sized menu available at 12:00 and 13:00!)

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Chinese Dining "Turpan"
 

A special Vietnamese course is available for a limited time. We also offer a casual Vietnamese lunch course for lunch.

Lunch: 11:30-14:00
Dinner: 17:30-21:00

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Bar Rembrandt
 

The bar will also offer Vietnam-inspired cocktails, beer, and eight types of Vietnamese small dishes.

Business hours: 17:30-24:00

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lobby lounge
 

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

Business hours: 10:00-17:30

 
JICA Yokohama International Center Port view restaurant "Port Terrace Cafe"
 

We offer dishes recommended by our Vietnamese staff.

Period: Saturday, October 1st to Monday, October 31st, 2016
Business hours: 17:30-21:00 (last orders 20:30)

 
Kanagawa Plaza for Global Citizens
 

On Sunday, October 16th, we will be screening the Vietnamese-Japanese co-production film "Blowin' in the Winds of Vietnam"! Enjoy this much-talked-about film based on a true story and starring Keiko Matsuzaka.

Date and time: Sunday, October 16th ①10:00～ ②14:00～ ③16:30～
①② open 30 minutes before ③ open 15 minutes before
*Sessions ① and ② are expected to be crowded, so we recommend session ③.
Venue: Earth Plaza 5th floor video hall
Admission fee: 400 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students
No registration required. Only 120 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa 2016