The event is to spread Japan’s culture to all. Source: Thanh Nien newspaper

Ando Hitomi, a Japanese language teacher in Vietnam, a volunteer for educational programs in Vietnam and Japan, who instructs Vietnamese girls to wear yukata properly, said, “For the first time, I’m honored to witness many Vietnamese girls wearing traditional costumes of my country. It feels emotional and uplifting.”

The yukata dress-up event on March 19 was held at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Van Hien University, Ho Chi Minh City.

The yukata is the summer version of the kimono. It’s made of cotton, more casual and fresher than other traditional outfits.

Once a girl chooses her yukata, Yen shows her the correct way to put it on. Source: Thanh Nien newspaper

Yukata means “bathing wear.” Originally, it was the costume used after bathing in the onsen (baths of natural thermal waters), working as clothing to cover the body quickly and absorb moisture. The yukata is the dress used when staying in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel).

Over time it has gained so much popularity that it has become a way of dressing for summer festivals, fireworks and other outdoor events.

The men’s yukata generally has darker or more subdued colors, while young women’s yukata are usually bright and colorful, with floral designs and butterflies.

The obi (belt) is the most complicated part of dressing the yukata. Source: Thanh Nien newspaper

Many students learned about the traditional kimono of Japan, in which the yukata is a unique summer outfit. At the same time, everyone can know how to wear a yukata more easily.

Le Thi Van Khanh, 19, a first-year Japanese student, said that this is the first time she has been able to wear a yukata in real life.

“I struggled to wear it right, fortunately, a female student from the same faculty helped me put the yutaka and obi (belt) on. I love Japan, so I want to experience what it is like to put on a yukata. I wish I could strut through the streets of Japan, visit some summer festival, like a fireworks festival, wearing a yukata,” Khanh said.

Once the obi knot is achieved, the final touches are made so that the yukata looks perfect. Source: Thanh Nien newspaper

Finally, the hair. The hair has to be collected in a bun or a simple ponytail. Source: Thanh Nien newspaper

Another girl, 21-year-old Dang Thi Minh Anh, a second-year student majoring in Japanese studies, was the most technically proficient in yukata. She alone helped many friends wear this traditional summer clothing.

“Because I love Japanese culture so much, last year, I spent millions to order a yukata from abroad to Vietnam to take pictures and wear in some summer festivals. Many people have the same interests as me. If you buy an original yukata from Japanese stores, it will cost you tens of millions. But because of passion, many people do not hesitate to open their wallets,” Minh Anh said.

Nguyen Thi Hong Yen, deputy dean of the faculty, said that this is the first time the Yukata dress-up experience event had been held at the faculty. Other years, people held Japanese festivals Japanese speech contests.

“The number of students studying Japanese and Japanese majors is increasing day by day. To better understand the country you must study for many years, and be fascinated with the curriculum; in theory, nothing is more interesting than living in the strong cultural atmosphere of that nation,” Yen told Thanh Nien (Youth) newspaper.

To go out with the yukata, you will also need some sandals. The typical shoes are the geta, but if you do not have them, sandals are perfect. Source: Thanh Nien newspaper

Source: Thanh Nien newspaper

Meanwhile, Hitomi, who introduced and taught students how to wear the yukata, had to admire many Vietnamese girls’ feminine and graceful beauty in this costume.

He said that there are many types of kimono in Japan, serving different places and events that the people of Japan will wear. Kimonos are specialized items to wear in the royal family, at weddings at university graduation or in summer festivals.

“Today, many Japanese people do not even fully understand the kimono, how to wear them, and how to distinguish between different kinds. I want the young Vietnamese, boys and girls today to be cultural ambassadors and to spread the beauty of my homeland’s traditional costumes,” said Hitomi.

Da Nang Seeks Stronger Cooperation with Japanese Partners Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Huynh Duc Truong has called for support from Consul General Yakabe Yoshinori to promote cooperation between Da Nang ...

Vietnamese Students in Japan Receive Assistance from Local Government Vietnamese students in Goto have received assistance from the city and the Japanese government.

Japan Finances Mine Clearance in Vietnam’s Central Province Japan aids US$ 648.148 (almost JPY 70 million) to clear bombs and mines in the central province of Quang Binh.