(VOVWORLD) -Cherry Blossom Festival which opened in Dien Bien Phu city on Friday celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Japan.
 Athletes ride boats on Pa Khoang lake. Photo: VNA
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Since Japan presented 1,000 cherry blossom trees to Dien Bien province 10 years ago, the plants have been growing and suitable for the local climate and soil conditions.
The Pa Khoang cherry blossom island has become a popular tourist attraction, while Pa Khoang lake, the province's largest reservoir, was the venue for the Open Kayak Race, the first of its kind in Dien Bien province on Saturday. The tournament brought together 13 teams of more than 70 athletes competing in men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
The Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange program featured the traditional cultural colors of Dien Bien province and Vietnam as well as the Vietnam-Japan friendship. Residents and tourists could also experience the "Sake-Mong Pe" wine party, hot pot party, and a fair of high-quality agricultural products of Dien Bien.