Cherry blossom, a symbol of Japan, will be grown in Ha Noi. File Photo

HA NOI — A ceremony to accept 500 cherry blossom (sakura) trees from the Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Association took place in Hoa Binh Park in Ha Noi's Tu Liem District on Saturday.

Addressing the ceremony, Ha Noi People's Committee vice chairmanTran Xuan Viet expressed the city's gratitude toward the Japanese, particularly the Chukyo area where the trees came from.

Second secretary of the Japanese Embassy Nishino Atsunori said the cherry blossom was Japan's national flower and the trees planted in the park aimed to help people from Viet Nam increase their knowledge of Japanese culture.

Previously, Japan has brought cherry blossom trees to Ha Noi for Japanese Cherry Blossom Festivals, but this is the first time the trees have been planted in Ha Noi.-VNS