“Gathering of Top Artists Like in the ‘Kouhaku Uta Gassen’!”
For three days, immerse in the Vietnamese spirit with the national sport “Da Cau” tournament and a diverse range of food menus, making it a vibrant Vietnam-themed event!
In 2023, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Japan-Vietnam diplomatic relations. To celebrate this milestone and deepen the bond between Japan and Vietnam, we are delighted to present the inaugural “Xin chao! Saitama” Vietnam Festival in Saitama, together with Japanese-Vietnamese residents and the people of Saitama.
During the event, you can enjoy authentic Vietnamese flavors like Banh Mi and Pho at the food booths, along with 40 merchandise booths. There will also be workshops, including lantern-making, and a “Da Cau” tournament, a traditional Vietnamese sport.
On the stage, you will witness traditional Vietnamese performances, including the folk song “Chau Van,” which is sung during the event of “Saint Mother Worship,” recognized as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival promises three vibrant days immersed in the colors of Vietnam.
The highlight of the festival will be the “Saitama Concert,” featuring top local artists on par with those seen in the “Kouhaku Uta Gassen.”
Two renowned artists will grace the stage: Hong Nhung, one of the few known as the “DIVA” of Vietnam, and Quang Dung, a top singer. Both will showcase their enchanting vocals during their performances.
Under the theme “Bridging to a Prosperous Future on the 50th Anniversary,” the “Xin chao! Saitama” Vietnam Festival is a certified 50th-anniversary project. Come and join us in building a new page of exchange between Saitama and Vietnam, experiencing the real essence of Vietnam at this extraordinary festival.
DIVA Hong Nhung and top singer Quang Dung are coming to the “Saitama Concert”!
The “Saitama Concert,” the highlight of the festival, will feature six prominent artists. Among them, the renowned DIVA Hong Nhung and top singer Quang Dung will grace the stage. Together with other famous artists and local talents, they will enliven the three-day event with their mesmerizing performances, on par with those seen in the prestigious “Kouhaku Uta Gassen” in Japan.
[Participating Artists]
■Hong Nhung:
A prominent figure leading contemporary music in Vietnam since the early 1990s. She is one of the four renowned “DIVAs,” the songstresses in Vietnam. Known for her captivating vocals and expressive performances, Hong Nhung is recognized as the voice behind the compositions of the celebrated Vietnamese composer Trinh Cong Son.
■Quang Dung:
A top singer admired by the younger generation in Vietnam. Quang Dung’s repertoire includes not only light music and sentimental melodies but also songs from the pre-war era and compositions by the renowned Vietnamese composer Trinh Cong Son. He has received numerous awards for his warm and enchanting voice that deeply touches the hearts of listeners.
■KURROCK (Kurok):
Based in Tokyo, KURROCK is the first Vietnamese rock band to actively perform in Japan. The band consists of Vietnamese members (KJO, TroK, Sang) and Japanese members (Daisuke, Remi), creating a unique sound that blends the characteristics of both countries.
Authentic Flavors Reproduced! 26 Food Booths Offering a Variety of Vietnamese Cuisine!
At the event, 26 food booths will be offering a delightful array of authentic Vietnamese dishes, including fried spring rolls (Cha gio), fresh spring rolls (Goi cuon), Banh Xeo, Banh Mi, Pho, Bun Bo Hue, and traditional desserts like Che and Sinh To. Local Vietnamese restaurants from Saitama and the surrounding areas will showcase their proud and skillfully crafted flavors. Don’t miss this opportunity to savor the taste of Vietnam!
The National Sport of Vietnam, “Dau Cau” Tournament will also be held! Experience the thrilling competition up close!
Chinese-originated kicking sport, the Vietnamese national sport ‘Da Cau’. On the day of the Vietnamese festival, we will hold the ‘Japan-Vietnam Da Cau Championship in Saitama’ as a sports exchange.
Da Cau, which is showing signs of popularity in Japan, especially among Vietnamese residents. Experience the powerful competition up close as players use tricky techniques like crossing and kicking the shuttlecock behind them.
Traditional performances, workshops, and various merchandise await you! The venue will be filled with the vibrant colors of Vietnam.
During the event, the venue will be adorned in vibrant Vietnam-themed colors, with the theme “Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival Comes to Saitama!” Recreating the Mid-Autumn Festival with colorful lanterns, you can experience the ambiance of a real Vietnamese town. Enjoy traditional Vietnamese performances on the stage, explore cultural experience booths, and visit the Japan-Vietnam business booths to immerse yourself in the rich Vietnamese culture. How about experiencing the wonders of Vietnamese culture firsthand?
◆ The venue’s theme is “Mid-Autumn Festival,” adorned with colorful lanterns adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the “Harvest Moon Festival” in Japan, is celebrated in Vietnam as a traditional custom to appreciate the moon and give thanks for the bountiful harvest. It takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (which falls in September to October in the Gregorian calendar). This Vietnam Festival will revolve around the theme of the Mid-Autumn Festival, recreating the streets of Hanoi with colorful lanterns and more to capture the essence of the celebration.
◆ There are various workshops available for families to enjoy together.
On the day of the festival, we have prepared a diverse range of workshops that families can enjoy together. You can experience crafting star-shaped lanterns and creating processions. Additionally, in line with the Mid-Autumn Festival, there will be mooncake tasting, sales of offerings like fruits, trays, and mooncakes, as well as special gifts for children. How about immersing yourselves in Vietnamese culture together as a family?
◆ Immerse Yourself in Vietnamese Traditional Performances
◆ Immerse Yourself in Vietnamese Traditional Performances
On the stage, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the folk song “Chau Van,” sung during the rituals of the UNESCO-recognized Vietnamese traditional belief “Worship of the Three Palaces.” Additionally, you can enjoy the enchanting performance of the Vietnamese bamboo percussion instrument called “T’rung” by musician Kumiko Oguri. Be captivated by the pure and beautiful sounds of these traditional Vietnamese arts.
【”Xin Chao! Saitama” Vietnam Festival – Event Overview】
■ Event Dates and Times
September 1, 2023 (Friday) – September 3, 2023 (Sunday)
※ Rain or shine event, canceled in severe weather conditions
September 1: 15:00 – 21:30
September 2: 10:00 – 21:30
September 3: 10:00 – 19:30
■ Venue
Saitama Super Arena Keyaki Hiroba
(10 Shintoshin, Chuo-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture)
※ Nearest stations: JR Saitama Shintoshin Station, Kitayono Station
■ Organized by
Xin Chao Saitama Executive Committee
■ Supported by
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saitama Prefecture, Saitama City, Saitama Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saitama Prefectural Board of Education, General Incorporated Association Saitama Products and Tourism Association, Public Interest Incorporated Association Saitama Tourism International Association, Rotary International District 2770, TV Saitama Inc., Public Interest Incorporated Association Vietnam Association in Japan, Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan, General Incorporated Association Japan-Vietnam International Exchange Organization, Vietnamese Women’s Association in Japan, Vietnamese Students and Youth Association in Japan, General Incorporated Association Vietnamese Buddhist Followers in Japan, General Incorporated Association HONTO TV, General Incorporated Association Japan-Vietnam Association, General Incorporated Association Japan-Vietnam Business Federation
■ Special Sponsors
D Communications Inc., T-CONNECT Corporation
■ Sponsors
JV MEDIA LLC, Apollo Corporation, Shinnihon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., MIA LLC
■ Theme
“Saitama Welcomes the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival!”
■ Highlights
- Concerts by Japanese-Vietnamese artists
- Japan-Vietnam Da Cau Championship
- Vietnamese traditional performances and intangible cultural heritage such as “Quan Ho,” “Chau Van,” “T’rung,” and more
- Japan-Vietnam Talent Contest (Total prize money: 300,000 yen)
■ Official Website
Website: https://xinchaosaitama.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xinchaosaitama
■ Contact Information
Xin Chao Saitama Executive Committee
Email: info@xinchaosaitama.com
Source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000102583.html