​On the morning of November 3, 2024, at Dong Nai province Children's House, the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association in collaboration with the Children's House of Dong Nai province organized the opening ceremony of “the 2024 Vietnam - Japan Painting Contest”, “the 2024 Haiku and Luc Bat Poetry Writing Contest”, with the theme "Vietnam and Japan promote close bond of people, the sustainable and long - term friendly and cooperative relations between two nations".

Students participating in the opening ceremony of “the 2024 Vietnam - Japan Painting Contest”, “the 2024 Haiku and Luc Bat Poetry Writing Contest”

Attending the Opening Ceremony of the contests, there were Ms. Vy Vu Hong Thao - Vice President of Dong Nai province Union of Friendship Organizations, Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet - Chairman of Dong Nai province Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association, Mr. Truong Hai Thi - Director of Dong Nai province Children's House and the participation of more than 250 delegates, candidates and their parents.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet - Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Dong Nai province affirmed that paintings and poetry have long become wonderful cultural features, helping us deeply perceive the beautiful nuances of life and people. This is also the the shortest path to connect the rich and beautiful cultural values ​​of the two countries. He hopes that through the Painting Contest, the Organizing Committee will receive works with bright colors, full of creativity and genuine emotions from the contestants, reflecting the bond between Vietnam and Japan, from traditional culture, majestic natural landscapes to meaningful moments in life. As for the Haiku and Luc Bat Poetry Writing Contest, it is held for the first time. This will be an opportunity for everyone to find out the special cultural and emotional interference between the two nations through profound, pure poems praising the friendship, solidarity and sustainable cooperation between the two nations.

Contestants participating in “the 2024 Vietnam - Japan Painting Contest”, with the theme "Vietnam and Japan promote close bond of people, the sustainable and long - term friendly and cooperative relations between two nations"

“The 2024 Vietnam - Japan Painting Contest” and “the 2024 Haiku and Luc Bat Poetry Writing Contest” are meaningful and practical activities to congratulate on the 3^rd Congress of Dong Nai province Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2024 – 2029 term, and at the same time celebrate the Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (September 21, 1973). The above activities contribute to creating a healthy and practical playground for teenagers, arousing a passion for creative literature and painting, and propagating and improving the young generation's understanding of the good traditional friendship between the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Dong Nai in particular and Japanese organizations and businesses.

The contestants focusing on the Painting Contest.

At the end of the opening ceremony, 200 young artists who participated in “the 2024 Vietnam - Japan Painting Contest” with the theme "Vietnam and Japan promote close bond of people, the sustainable and long - term friendly and cooperative relations between two nations", competed directly in the campus of Dong Nai province Children's House. As for the “the 2024 Haiku and Luc Bat Poetry Writing Contest”, the Organizing Committee continues to receive the entries until November 15.

*Haiku is a type of short form poetry that originated in Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku consist of three phrases composed of 17 morae (called on in Japanese) in a 5, 7, 5 pattern; that include a kireji, or "cutting word"; and a kigo, or seasonal reference. However, haiku by classical Japanese poets, such as Matsuo Bashō, also deviate from the 17 - on pattern and sometimes do not contain a kireji. Similar poems that do not adhere to these rules are generally classified as senryū.

*Lục bát is a traditional Vietnamese verse form - historically first recorded in Chữ Nôm script. "Lục bát" is Sino - Vietnamese for "six - eight", referring to the alternating lines of six and eight syllables. It will always begin with a six - syllable line and end with an eight-syllable one. Lục bát is traditionally composed and enjoyed by people of all classes, from the lowly peasants to the noble princes. It can be regarded as a living style of Vietnamese people. The rich treasure of Vietnamese folk poems (ca dao), which consists of hundred thousands of verses that reflect on life, morality, human relationships, and natural beauty, is almost entirely composed in lục bát form.