(VOVworld)- The 10th Hoi An-Japan cultural exchange opened in the city of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam on Friday, as part of activities to celebrate the 39 th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties.

The event, included in the National Tourism Year for the North Central Coastal Area-Hue for 2012, started with a performance featuring traditional arts and music of both countries. It also includes street arts, community art exchanges, handicraft and calligraphy exhibitions, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine and tourism fairs. "Japanese friends as well as Hoi An local people will introduce contemporary arts during the program. Seminars on preserving and promoting heritage values, sustainable development and environmental protection will also be held. This annual event has manifested the close relations of the two nations toward the celebration of the 40^th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan", said Le Van Giang, Chairman of Hoi An City’s People’s Committe.