Warm Mid-Autumn Reunion in Osaka (Japan)

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The event brought with it the warm atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival, known as the Festival of Reunion, while kindling the flame of love and pride for the mother tongue among young Vietnamese overseas.

The exchange program “Learning and Loving the Vietnamese Language Together” spread the love for the Vietnamese language among the young generation of overseas Vietnamese living in Japan. (Photo: Department of International Cooperation / Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

During the exchange, guests shared inspiring stories about their journey to “keep the Vietnamese language alive” while living abroad.

From the perspectives of both learner and teacher, Professor Shimizu Masaaki, from the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Osaka University, and Brad Leathers, Youth Ambassador of the US Pavilion, offered lively insights affirming that Vietnamese does not belong solely to the Vietnamese people but has become a source of inspiration for international friends to explore, appreciate, and cherish.

Professor Shimizu shared that it was the fascinating similarities between Vietnamese and Japanese that drew him into deeper research on the Vietnamese language and, through that journey, nurtured his affection for Vietnamese culture. He sincerely encouraged students to maintain the habit of studying Vietnamese every day, through speech, handwriting, and reading, so they may better understand and love their family and homeland, and take pride in their roots.

The exchange concluded in a joyful and emotional atmosphere as the students joined voices in the songs “As if Uncle Ho Were Here on the Great Victory Day” (Nhu co Bac Ho trong ngay vui dai thang) and "Tien quan ca". For the first time, these sacred songs echoed within the Vietnam Pavilion, as overseas Vietnamese children turned their hearts toward their homeland. Music became a bridge connecting countless Vietnamese hearts in Japan, creating a sacred moment in which love for the homeland was rekindled and spread within each expatriate soul.

On this occasion, Do Lan Phuong, Director of the Vietnam Pavilion, presented Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School with a collection of valuable books about President Ho Chi Minh. The gift enriched the school’s teaching resources and further nurtured patriotism and love for the Vietnamese language among the younger generation of overseas Vietnamese in Japan.

The event brought the warm atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival of Reunion. (Photo: Department of International Cooperation / Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Following the language exchange, the “Mid-Autumn Reunion” event offered a radiant and heartwarming cultural space for students, representing the second and third generations of the Vietnamese community in Japan, and their international friends at the Vietnam Pavilion within the framework of EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

The program vividly recreated the authentic flavor of the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival, where the full moon symbolizes family affection, joy, and the pure dreams of childhood. The children, including both Vietnamese expatriates and their international friends, delighted in traditional sweets, enjoyed lively lion dances, and joined the colorful lantern parade. The magical appearance of Sister Hang and Uncle Cuoi, figures from Vietnamese folklore, illuminated the night and brought radiant smiles to the children’s faces.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, artists and lecturers from the Vietnam National Academy of Music created a Mid-Autumn musical space imbued with the essence of the homeland. The resonant sounds of the K’long put, the gentle melodies of the dan bau (monochord), and the soulful notes of the dan nhi (two-string fiddle) allowed the children to touch the very soul of Vietnam’s traditional music. Through these experiences, love for Vietnamese culture and music was naturally and beautifully sown in their young hearts.

The captivating water puppet performance also drew everyone’s attention. (Photo: Department of International Cooperation / Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

A highlight of the event was the water puppet performance, which captivated all eyes. Meritorious Artist Nguyen Ngoc Trieu not only performed but also enthusiastically guided the children in exploring the behind-the-scenes art of water puppetry, a unique Vietnamese folk art form that has been preserved and developed for over a thousand years.

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