The Ikebana International Charity Fair 2024 took place in Tokyo on December 10 to raise funds and support victims of natural disasters in Japan.

Vietnamese puppetry performed at the event. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The event was co-hosted by the Tokyo chapter of Ikebana International and the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan.

Among the distinguished attendees were Yoshiko Ishiba, spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, representatives from over 30 embassies in Japan, and more than 3,000 guests.

The fair featured Ikebana masterpieces from over 30 Japanese floral art schools, with the centerpiece Ikebana arrangement spotlighting lotus flowers – a symbol of Vietnam.

Thai Thu Hong, spouse of the Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan cum Chairperson of the Ikebana International Charity Fair 2024, expressed her honor in taking on this role.

The event is particularly meaningful as it marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in Tokyo reported, citing Hong’s speech.

The fair and other cultural exchanges alike bring the people of Vietnam, Japan, and the world closer together, she said.

As part of the fair’s activities, which showcased signature products from various countries, the Vietnamese booth stood out with a vibrant display of traditional handicrafts, cultural attire, Vietnamese cooking spices, and charming souvenirs symbolizing Vietnam’s land and people.

Vietnamese traditional handicrafts introduced at the fair. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Hong conveyed her gratitude to the participating embassies for their support and expressed her confidence that the art pieces, intricate crafts, delicious cuisine, and captivating cultural stories shared at the Ikebana International Charity Fair 2024.

These displays would leave a lasting impression of the cultural richness of all nations represented, particularly Vietnam and Japan, she said.

Adding a distinctly Vietnamese touch to the event, the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan invited artists from Vietnam to perform traditional water puppetry, monochord solos, and folk songs, she added.

These performances offered Japanese and international friends a glimpse into the beauty of Vietnamese culture, Hong said.

The performances by Vietnamese artists were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. Furthermore, many Japanese and international visitors expressed delight while exploring the Vietnamese booth, with a particular fascination for the iconic ao dai, Vietnam's traditional attire for women.