Da Nang Honors Ancient Love Story Between Viet Princess - Japanese Merchant

The cultural exchange event titled "Vietnam - Japan Love Story" took place in Da Nang city aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (1973-2023).

The cultural exchange event "Vietnam - Japan Love Story" is inspired by a real story of the love between Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro and Princess Ngoc Hoa (called Princess Anio by the Japanese) in Vietnam's Hoi An during the trading era of the Shuinsen in the early 17th century. The love story is also the sweet memories of insiders about the two countries.

Overview of the event. Source: Nguyệt Ánh/danang.gov.vn

Princess Ngoc Hoa was the daughter of Lord Nguyen Phuc Nguyen, who reigned from 1613 to 1635. In the early 17th century, Araki went to Hoi An to trade and met the princess. They fell in love and got married. In 1620, he took her to Nagasaki, where locals loved her for her beautiful appearance and gentle character.

Today, locals still stage a palanquin procession ceremony to welcome Princess Anio at Nagasaki Kunchi Festival.

According to the Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Da Nang Huynh Duc Truong, the cultural exchange event is one of the highlights of the Vietnam - Japan cultural exchange picture to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples. "With many diverse activities, I believe that the event promises to bring everyone wonderful cultural experiences between the two countries; thereby, further tightening the friendly and cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan."

At the opening ceremony of the event, Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh appreciated the important factor that forms the foundation of the development of relations between the two countries, which is understanding and sympathy between the two people. This demonstrates the political trust, effectiveness in economic cooperation, and cultural similarities between the people of Vietnam and Japan.

Exchange session titled "Sweet Memories" with Former Ambassador of Vietnam to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong (third from the left) and Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori (second from the left). Photo: Nguyet Anh/danang.gov.vn

Many special music performances, ao dai catwalk, Vietnam - Japan wedding miniatures, T'rung instrument recital, Yosakoi dance, and the exchange with Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong and Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori.

Meanwhile, the “Princess Anio” opera, which recounts the 17th-century love story also premiered in the northern mountainous province of Hung Yen on September 27.

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko watched the opera at Hanoi as part of their official visit to Vietnam.

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