Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties between Japan and Vietnam, Saitama Super Arena will host a Vietnam festival “Hello Saitama” in early September 2023. This type of a festival is a first for Saitama Prefecture. It is sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Given that Saitama has one of the largest Vietnamese communities in all of Japan, with more than 40,000 people, it is expected the festival will attract thousands of visitors. Moreover, there is a hope that this may become an annual event.
Vietnam Festival “Hello Saitama”
The festival is based on the popular Vietnamese tradition mid Autumn festival. At the three day festival you can see colorful Vietnamese style lanterns. They will have lion dance performances as well as lots of different types of live entertainment. And of course, you will be able to try some traditional Vietnamese food and drink. There will be more than 60 food booths at the festival. They will offer Vietnamese cuisine that is well known in Japan as well as some lesser known dishes too. You will be able to pick different flavors of mooncakes too.
Information
Event: Vietnam Festival “Hello Saitama” Lễ Hội Việt Nam “Xin chào Saitama”
Dates: Friday September 1st to Sunday September 3rd 2023
Time: from 3 pm on Friday September 1st and from 10 am on the Saturday (2nd) and Sunday (3rd)
Cost: no admission fee
Venue: Keyaki Hiroba, Saitama Shintoshin, 10 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama, 330-0081. View on Google Maps.
Access Saitama Shintoshin
The festival is on in the Keyaki Hiroba of Tamaari Town aka Saitama Shintoshin. Saitama Super Arena is one part of Saitama Shintoshin. Thus, sometimes they call the area Saitama Super Arena.
Address: Keyaki Hiroba, 10 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama, 330-0081. Phone: 0486011122
Saitama Shintoshin Tamaari town is a 2 minute walk from JR Saitama shintoshin Station, about a 7 minute walk from JR Kitayono Station and there is parking available. However, the car parks are often crowded and costs 400 yen for the first hour and 200 yen for every subsequent hour.
how cool!