School students compete in a writing and painting contest to promote Japan-Vietnam friendship, celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in the central city from March 30 to May 30.

The contest is titled 'Da Nang school students joining hands in strengthening the Japan-Vietnam friendship'.

Children join an outdoor reading session at the Japanese-styled Sakura Kindergarten in Da Nang. Photo: VNA

It will feature around 10,000 students from primary, secondary and high school who will send their paintings and essays to Japan for selection on June 5-30.

As part of a series of activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam - Japan diplomatic ties (September 21), the contest aims to contribute to enhancing understanding, friendship and cooperation between Da Nang and Japanese people, thereby facilitating local pupils, especially senior high school pupils, to learn about the 50-year history of establishing diplomatic relations between two countries.

The contest is open to all school pupils citywide. Entries must show affection for the country, people and culture of Japan, as well as feature cultural exchange activities between Vietnamese and Japanese pupils, and diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan.

All entrants are responsible for copyright, and clearly state the name of the work, the authors, schools, grades, schools’ and home addresses, and phone number.

In particular, paintings are required to be drawn on A3-sized white papers with optional colours such as crayons, gouache, oil paints and watercolors.

Photo: Bao Danang

The best paintings and writings in Vietnamese or Japanese would be given awards in a ceremony in July.

Da Nang was the first city in central Vietnam to promote cooperation with Japanese partners in high-quality human resources training, with 450 students from Da Nang-based Dong A University working for businesses in Japan.

The first Japanese language studies and culture research centre in the central and Central Highlands region was founded at the university.

Japan also promoted its Consulate Office in Da Nang city to the Consulate General after two years of establishment to boost trade, tourism, investment and relationship ties with the central city and the entire central region.

Japanese Consul General in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori said the promotion was a positive move and that the government of Japan appreciates the important role of Da Nang.

He said Da Nang was important to Japan’s diplomatic and economic policy as it is an entrance to the East Sea and an excellent connection to the East-West Economic Corridors that link Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar as well as the southern economic corridor.

Japanese was taught at 12 primary and seven junior secondary schools in Lien Chieu district following the city’s foreign language teaching programme for 2012-2020.

The coastal city and neighbouring provinces are home to 440 Japanese people and 60 Japanese restaurants operate in Da Nang.

Da Nang and Hoi An have been hosting the annual Japan-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Day since 2014.

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