(VNF) - Japanese Emperor and Empress express appreciation for the warm welcome they received from people in Hue ancient imperial city (central Vietnam) during their visit.

The statement was made by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeperson Hatsuhisa Takashima in a press conference on Saturday evening.

On Mar 3^rd afternoon, the Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko left Hanoi for Thue Thien - Hue province, continue their state-level visit to Vietnam which is scheduled to last till Mar 5^th.

During their two-day stay in Hue, the Emperor and Empress visited the Hue old citadel, enjoyed Nha nhac cung dinh Hue (Hue Imperial Court Music) performance, visited the memorial hall of Phan Boi Chau and joined a meeting with the Japanese community based in Thua Thien - Hue.

Hatsuhisa Takashima (R) - Director of Press and Communication, Spokeperson of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign affairs chairing the conference (photo: Nguyen Do)

In response to the press's questions regarding the royal's visit to Hue city, Hatsuhisa Takashima, the Emperor's spokeperson said, the imperial couple are extremely impressed by the tremendously warm welcome and respect of local authorities and people in the past 2 days.

Students in Hue city pleasantly waiting for the Emperor and Empress (source: phapluatonline)

The diplomat stressed the Japanese Royal expected the visit to Vietnam of the Emperor and Empress will help tighten and strengthen the bilateral relations and facilitate future development of the ties between two countries in multi respects.

Regarding the Emperor's feeling about Hue Imperial Court music, the Japanese spokeman stated:

Hue is a land which is distinctively rich in cultural and historical values, acknowledged by the Emperor. Watching and listening to Hue Imperial Court music performance is a special event which really captured the attention of the royal couple.

"The Imperial Court Music of Hue and Japanese royal gagaku are believed to share the same origins long time ago.", Hatsuhisa Takashima said.

He also noted this is the second time Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko enjoyed Hue Imperial court music. The first time was back in 2007, which was held in Tokyo, on the ocassion of the state-level visit by the then President Nguyen Minh Triet to Japan.

*Memorable moments of the royal couple's visit to Hue:

The visit of Japanese Emperor and Empress captures the attention of people from all walks of life in Hue. (source: VOV, Thua Thien Hue Online)

The Emperor and Empress arrived at Hue old citadel (source: Phap Luat online)

The royal couple enjoying Hue Imperial court music show (source: Tri Thien)

The Emperor and Empress arriving at the memorial hall of the patriotic activist Phan Boi Chau. (source: zing news)

( VNF )