Vietnam brings craft, cuisine and art to Japan's Setouchi Triennale 2025
Traditional Vietnamese handicrafts and cuisine will take stage this summer in Japan to celebrate the enduring friendship and growing artistic dialogue between the two countries.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnamese cultural and artistic programs will take center stage at the Setouchi Triennale 2025, which opens this August at Takamatsu Port in Japan’s Kagawa Prefecture.
Flute kites made by artisan from Ba Duong Noi Village, Hanoi. Photos: Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
Organized in collaboration with the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, the event aims to foster mutual understanding through shared appreciation of art, tradition and creativity.
At the heart of this event is the Vietnam Project, a cultural platform dedicated to showcasing the beauty, craftsmanship and flavors of Vietnam. Running until August 31, the project features “Cong Moments”, an immersive Vietnamese handicraft and food market located near Takamatsu Port, Setouchi islands.
The market celebrates the artistry of Vietnam’s renowned craft villages, each deeply rooted in rich historical and cultural traditions.
Visitors can explore exquisite handmade products from: Chuong Village, Hanoi, famed for its iconic conical hats, symbols of Vietnamese identity and elegance; Ba Duong Noi Village, known for its traditional kite-making; Phu Vinh Village celebrated for its intricate bamboo and rattan weaving, showcasing generations of skilled craftsmanship.
Meanwhile, Xuan La Village is home to artisans who create to he, vibrant toy figurines made from colorful glutinous rice powder, beloved by children and adults alike, while Cui Lu Village, Hoi An Ancient Town, Danang City - distinguished for its detailed firewood carvings, blending fine artistry with local heritage.
The market also welcomes Vietnamese fashion brands such as Collective SŌNSŌN, Ginkgo, and Ante, offering modern designs inspired by local heritage and crafted from indigenous materials.
Notably, the beloved Cong Ca Phe chain is launching its first store in Japan at this event, bringing its nostalgic ambiance and authentic Vietnamese coffee culture to Japanese and international visitors.
The wood carvings of Cui Lu Village in Hoi An Ancient Town, Danang.
Vietnamese cuisine also plays a starring role, with signature dishes offering visitors a true taste of the country’s rich culinary heritage. From savory street food to refined traditional recipes, the flavors spark curiosity and connection.
A series of cultural performances and community activities will enhance the festival atmosphere, including Vietnamese music and dance shows, folk games, and fashion showcases.
Additionally, the Vietnamese Contemporary Art Exhibition titled A Choreography of Resonance will be on display at the Kagawa Prefectural Museum, featuring four rising Vietnamese artists.
On this occasion, the Setouchi Triennale 2025 Vietnam Project Commemorative Symposium will bring together Vietnamese and Japanese experts, artists, and cultural leaders. With a theme that spans cuisine, urbanization, digitalization, globalization, and contemporary art, the symposium reflects the evolving cultural ties and shared aspirations of both nations.
Launched in 2010 as a cultural revitalization initiative, the Setouchi Triennale has grown into Japan’s largest and most internationally acclaimed art festival where global artists present works that reflect local landscape, culture and community.
