Connecting Japanese and Vietnamese cultures through folk tales and music

The Japan-Vietnam Goodwill Cultural Event was performed by pianist Motoki Hirai, a famous Japanese composer, art ambassador of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and People's Artist Le Khanh of Vietnam with the theme "Connecting Japanese and Vietnamese cultures through folk tales and music" in Thanh Hoa on May 16, 2025. The predecessor was the project "Japanese children's comics to the world" initiated in 2007; it has been held in more than 20 countries around the world.

Attending the Japan-Vietnam cultural exchange

On the Japanese side: There was Mr. Ito Naoki, an Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam; Mr. Yasuaki Wanatabe, an Excutive Vice President cum a Chief Financial Officer of NS2PC (representing Merubeni Group, Japan, one of the three investors of NS2PC) and leaders of Japanese corporations and companies investing in Thanh Hoa and Vietnam: Taheiyo Co (investor of Nghi Son Cement), IDEMITSU VIETNAM CO.,LTD (One of the investors of Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC).

Mr. Mr. Yasuaki Wanatabe (Second one from the right)

On the side of Thanh Hoa province, there were Mr. Nguyen Doan Anh, a Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Thi, a Permanent Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and key leaders of departments, branches, Nghi Son Economic Board and Thanh Hoa Industrial Parks.

Mr. Nguyen Doan Anh (first one on the right)

Representatives of the sponsors include: PVI, Taiheiyo Cement, Mitsubishi UBE Cement, Idemitsu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi Corporation, Vung Tien, Vietcombank, VietinBank, VPBanhk, CF Group, Nippon Sanso, NTD Travel, Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, Yamaha….

Speaking at the concert, Mr. Ito Naoki, Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam said: “Cultural imprints on Vietnam from the 17th century. Japan and Vietnam have cultures rich in national identity. Folktales and music are the soul of the nation, and each of us who grow up is rewarded with that “cultural soul”. He thanked the government and people of Thanh Hoa for supporting Japanese companies doing business in Thanh Hoa, the success of Japanese companies in Thanh Hoa contributes to further highlighting the good relationship between Japan and Vietnam”, he emphasized.

Mr. Ito Naoki, an Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam made speech on the Concert

The combination of ancient Japanese poetry through the piano of artist Motoki Hirai and “The Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake” through the story telling of People's Artist Le Khanh, assisted by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra created an impressive highlight, contributing to bringing the audience into an emotional cultural exchange space.

Mr. Ambassador and Thanh Hoa Provincial Secretary delivered  flowers to pianist Motoki Hirai, People's Artist Le Khanh for hight appreciates