Summer festival brings Japan's spirit to Hanoi

THE HANOI TIMES — This summer, the spirit of Japan will come alive in Hanoi as the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam presents JFF Theater 2025.

This special event features free film screenings and hands-on cultural activities that showcase the best of Japan.

Against the backdrop of Hanoi’s bustling capital, JFF Theater 2025 offers the joyful, colorful atmosphere of a traditional Japanese summer festival, or Natsu Matsuri. The event promises a day full of discovery, tradition, and artistic expression, strengthening the longstanding cultural bridge between Vietnam and Japan.

According to the organizers, the event will feature two cinematic showcases, each with a limited audience of 60.

On July 27, there will be a screening of Love and the Grand Tug-of-War, followed by interactive activities and cultural performances. Then the Japanese family drama Three Sisters will be shown, closing the evening with emotional storytelling and shared cultural insight.

After each film, attendees can play engaging minigames and enter a lucky draw for a chance to win exclusive Japanese souvenirs. From 5:30 PM until late at night, the cultural zone invites visitors to step into a festive Japanese street scene complete with colorful Kazaguruma pinwheels, icy treats like Kakigori (Japanese shaved ice), and traditional attire such as Yukata and Happi coats.

Visitors can also receive personalized Japanese calligraphy on traditional uchiwa fans as a memento of the event.

Adding to the excitement, the renowned Aurora Yosakoi Hanoi cheerleading team will perform a lively tug-of-war, blending Japanese folk dance with youthful Vietnamese energy.

Visitors will also enjoy the Illusion-Vision art exhibition by Professor Sugihara Kokichi, a pioneer of optical illusion art whose work challenges the boundaries of perception and reality.

Admission is free, but advance registration is required via the Japan Foundation fan page: www.facebook.com/JFF.VIE.