2015 Japanese New Year’s Oshogatsu Festival in Vietnam

(Cinet) – A cultural festival to welcome Japanese traditional New Year (Oshogatsu) will take place at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) on January 24.

The programme is organised by the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies under HUST and Japanese language club Hedspi Nichibu.

The non-profit event is held annually to reproduce Japan’s traditional Oshougatsu New Year Festival in Vietnam and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.

During the event, a wide array of activities such as music performance, photo exhibition, Yosakoi dances and yukata (an informal, unlined kimono made of cotton) wearing will also be held.

Participants will have chance to get better understanding on unique Japanese culture including customs, traditions, cuisine and traditional games.

New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a fresh start. Consequently, all duties are supposed to be completed by the end of the year, while bonenkai parties (“year forgetting parties”) are held with the purpose of leaving the old year’s worries and troubles behind.

2015 Japanese New Year’s Oshogatsu Festival in Vietnam Related image(s)