Enabling art: Tourists enjoy artworks at the festival.

HOI AN (VNS)— Thousands of tourists flocked to the annual Hoi An-Japan Cultural Festival at the weekend to watch performances of folk dancing and displays of crafts and fine arts.

Japanese artists brought their works to the ancient town to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and Japan.

The two-day festival, which is part of the Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Year, is used to promote cultural exchange between Hoi An and Japan, which has had a long historic trading link with the city.

Japanese dancers performed traditional Shinbuyo and Samurai sword dances, while Vietnamese vocalist Fon Chi sang a famous song, Noi Vong Tay Lon (The Great Arm Circle), composed by Vietnamese Trinh Cong Son at the opening ceremony.

A gong dance troupe from mountainous Nam Giang District performed traditional music of the Co Tu ethnic group.

Japanese and local calligraphers also demonstrated their techniques at the 200-year-old ancestral home of Nguyen Tuong.

A painting exhibition by disabled people from Matsusaka city, a Haiku calligraphy exhibition and street performances were also held. — VNS