VietNamNet Bridge – Several activities on Sunday in HCM City Youth Cultural House kicked off the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Viet Nam diplomatic relations.

Old school: A Torri Kiyonaga painting of the Torri school.

The Japan Photo Exhibition featured 50 images highlighting Japan’s national treasures, natural and world heritage sites, and history and culture from traditional to modern times.

Viet Nam and Japan share many similar cultural traits so an event of cultural exchange like this one is certain to receive a high level of interest between the two peoples, said Huynh Minh Thien, deputy head of HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations.

The event was a good opportunity for the Vietnamese people to thoroughly absorb the culture of the country of cherry blossoms, he added.

At an event entitled, “Animation: Past, Present and Future”, several activities about the creative industry of animation attracted hundreds of teenagers.

At the event, Vietnamese manga and animation fans had the opportunity to gaze at their favourite manga posters and cartoon books and animation films, also popular worldwide.

“We are proud to see manga and animation become popular in Viet Nam. In light of this, these films are central to the Japan Day celebrations,” said Ikuo Mizuki, Consul General in HCM City.

The most impressive activity that drew the attention of many of the young participants was the animation role-play, in which teenagers had the chance to portray their favourite characters and perform selections from manga and animation films and books.

As part of a talk, Takamasa Sakurai, a well-known animation producer in Japan, explained why Japanese manga and animation have been accepted in many parts of the world and what makes this Japanese industry special beyond the nation’s border.

The Japan Photo Exhibition is on display until Saturday at HCM City Youth’s Cultural House, 4 Pham Ngoc Thach Street.

(Source: Viet Nam News)