Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, the spouse of Vietnam’s President, visited Tokyo and Kanagawa on November 8‑9 to attend a fashion show and a sculpture exhibition. These events show how culture is used to deepen ties between Vietnam and Japan.

The fashion show, called “The Threads We Share”, presented collections by Vietnamese and Japanese designers. Silk threads were used to symbolize the link between past and present, Vietnamese aesthetic thinking and Japan’s careful craftsmanship.

The programme also aimed to promote traditional craftsmanship, encourage production partnerships, and support sustainable fashion and handicraft industries in both countries. These goals were highlighted during the fashion show’s presentation.

The Vietnam–Japan Small Sculpture Exhibition displayed 31 works by 18 sculptors, including 13 Vietnamese and five Japanese artists. It is the first overseas exhibition that brings together such a large group of prominent contemporary Vietnamese sculptors.

Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji said culture can transcend borders, act as a universal language, and strengthen friendship between the two peoples. The events illustrate how fashion and sculpture can connect Vietnam and Japan and help both creative industries grow.