Vietnam Project Launch at the Setouchi Triennale 2025
In August 2025, the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam (The Japan Foundation), in collaboration with the Setouchi Triennale, will co-organize a series of cultural and artistic programs at Takamatsu Port during the Summer Session of the Setouchi Triennale 2025. These activities aim to foster exchange between Japan and Vietnam through art, craftsmanship, and cuisine.
With the desire to introduce the charm and richness of Vietnamese culture to Japanese audiences and international visitors, while opening up new opportunities for mutual understanding between the two nations in a new era, the Vietnam Project has been initiated. The project particularly hopes to connect with the community of nearly 600,000 Vietnamese currently living and working in Japan, serving as a cultural bridge between the two countries.
Launched in 2010, the Setouchi Triennale is a world-renowned international art festival held once every three years across the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Acclaimed by media such as The New York Times and National Geographic Traveler, the festival returns in 2025 for its sixth edition.
The Seto Inland Sea has long been a vital cultural and transportation hub. As the first designated national park in Japan, the region is celebrated for its natural beauty and rich heritage. However, in recent decades, it has faced serious challenges due to depopulation, aging communities, and environmental issues. With the mission of “Restoration of the Sea,” the Setouchi Triennale aims to revitalize the islands through collaborations among artists, local residents, volunteers, and visitors from around the world—reimagining the Seto Inland Sea as a “Sea of Hope” through the power of art.
The festival is held in three seasonal sessions—Spring (April), Summer (August), and Autumn (October)—across Kagawa and Okayama prefectures. Each session features an array of international artworks and exhibitions, drawing global attention and participation.
In this 2025 edition, Vietnam is honored to be featured as a highlighted art project among many international participants, strengthening cultural ties in Asia. Titled “CỘNG (Together): The Vietnam Project,” this initiative will present various dimensions of Vietnamese culture through contemporary art, crafts, design, and cuisine.
Vietnam Project Overview:
(1) CỘNG Moments: A Vietnamese Market of Food, Craft, and Goods
Time: August 1–21, 2025 | 15:00–20:00 (Closed on August 13)
Venue: Takamatsu Port Castle Promenade
(2) Vietnam Project Commemorative Symposium
Date: Friday, August 8, 2025 | 14:00–17:00
Venue: Rexxam Hall (next to Kagawa Prefectural Museum)
(3) Vietnamese Contemporary Art Exhibition “A Choreography in Resonance”
Time: August 6–31, 2025 | 09:00–17:00
(Closed on August 12, 18, and 25. Extended hours until 20:00 on Saturdays and on August 10–11)
Venue: Kagawa Prefectural Museum
We warmly invite you to join us this summer at Takamatsu Port and experience the spirit of “CỘNG – Togetherness” through a vibrant space filled with art, culture, and human connection!
For more information, please visit: HERE
Images for PR and references: HERE
For inquiries please contact:
Ms. Linh / Ms. Ánh 024-3944-7419 (ext. 115 or 136) / Mr. Yoshioka (037-492-6001)
The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
TEL 024-3944-7419
