This is the 11th annual program organized by Đại học Đông Á, celebrating the 53rd anniversary of Vietnam–Japan diplomatic relations (1973–2026) and more than two years since the two countries upgraded their ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.”
The event welcomed both in-person and online participation from representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the Japanese Consulate General in Da Nang, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) office in Hanoi, the The Japan Foundation office in Da Nang, representatives of city departments and agencies, the Da Nang Youth Union, Japanese enterprises, Japanese companies operating in Vietnam, the university board of management, high school students from across the city, and many university students studying Japanese at Dong A University.
Featuring a wide range of activities exploring Vietnamese and Japanese culture and language throughout the day, the Vietnam–Japan Cultural Festival and Japan Job Fair 2026 attracted more than 4,000 participants, including university students and local high school students interested in learning about Japanese culture, language, and career opportunities in Japan.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Mori Takero, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang, stated: “Dong A University is an outstanding representative university in Central Vietnam. The university has built very deep ties with Japan and achieved remarkable accomplishments not only in academics but also in internship and employment programs. Therefore, today’s Japan Job Fair is expected to bring many positive outcomes.”
Consul General Mori Takero also expressed his hope that the Japanese Consulate General in Da Nang would continue playing a pioneering role in promoting Japan–Vietnam friendship and achieving more practical results, especially as bilateral relations are currently at their strongest stage under the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” with cooperation continuing to deepen further.
 

Japan Job Fair 2026 at Dong A University
The Japan Job Fair 2026 at Đại học Đông Á attracted 30 Japanese partners. More than 20 Japanese enterprises participated in direct and online recruitment activities, offering 512 job positions for students from various academic disciplines.
At the opening ceremony, four new cooperation agreements on international internship and employment programs with Japanese partners were signed. Agreements with companies including Maruwa, Memolead, OSJ, and Up Raise expanded Dong A University’s Japanese partner network to 196 enterprises, alongside partnerships with nine Japanese prefectures/cities and 13 universities and research institutes in Japan. More importantly, these agreements further increased internship and employment opportunities for students at the university’s Japanese partner organizations each year.
Additionally, 60 “Vietnam–Japan Bridge” scholarships sponsored by Japanese enterprises were awarded to students majoring in Construction, Nursing, Business Administration, Marketing, Logistics, International Business, and related fields participating in one-year internship programs in Japan starting from the second quarter of 2026. The total scholarship value awarded reached nearly VND 400 million, in addition to continuous support for Japanese language and professional training before departure and throughout students’ internships and employment periods in Japan.
It is noted that the Japanese Enterprise Scholarship Fund for Dong A University students has been maintained for many years, with annual scholarship support totaling billions of Vietnamese dong.
Under the theme “Vietnam–Japan Human Resource Cooperation,” Japanese partners at the event shared insights on workforce training and development in Japan’s nursing sector, changes in recruitment policies for Japanese automotive engineers, and labor demand in Japan’s tourism and hospitality industries.
Among the highlighted collaborations was the 10-year partnership journey between Đại học Đông Á and Aijinkai Social Medical Corporation. Since the first meetings and agreements, six cohorts involving more than 150 Nursing students from Dong A University have participated in internships and long-term employment at medical facilities under the Aijinkai healthcare system in Japan.
Evaluating the decade-long collaboration, Ms. Miyamoto Noriko, Chief Nurse and Head of Foreign Human Resource Training at Aijinkai, commented: “The quality of students is the key to this partnership. So far, 93 Nursing students from Dong A University have joined internships, and currently 45 are working long-term with the corporation in Japan after completing their one-year internship programs. They are all hardworking, eager to learn, and highly appreciated by colleagues and patients for their professional competence. They will become a core workforce contributing to the development of Vietnam’s healthcare sector after returning from Japan.”
As part of the Japan Job Fair 2026, many student candidates actively participated in recruitment interviews with enterprises, seeking opportunities for internships and careers in Japan.
Mr. Lương Minh Sâm, Chairman of the University Council of Dong A University, stated: “To date, more than 1,000 Dong A University students have participated in study, internship, and employment programs in Japan. The Vietnam–Japan Cultural Festival and Japan Job Fair, maintained annually for many years, has become a bridge opening up dynamic cultural and language exchange experiences as well as an integration space where students can directly meet enterprises, understand professional requirements, apply and interview for positions, and seize internship and international employment opportunities in Japan with clear career pathways.”
He also noted that on April 23, Dong A University and the Da Nang Department of Home Affairs would jointly organize the 18th Annual Job Fair 2026, further expanding domestic and international employment opportunities for students ahead of graduation.

The 11th Vietnam–Japan Cultural Festival 2026 at Dong A University
Japanese and Vietnamese cultural spaces were vividly recreated at the Vietnam–Japan Cultural Festival 2026 at Đại học Đông Á through a series of impressive performances and competitions.
The cultural exchange activities began with energetic yosakoi dances and traditional bamboo dancing performed by Dong A University students, followed by spectacular Japanese drum performances and captivating Japanese fan dances.
In addition to 12 booths showcasing Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine and traditional folk games, visitors also experienced Japanese costume try-ons and photo-taking in themed “Japanese spaces.” The event further featured an elaborate Cosplay Festival with performances by university students, high school students, and young Japanese-culture enthusiasts in Da Nang.
Under the theme “Rhythm of Youth,” the flashmob competition finals brought together 10 impressive performances featuring creative combinations of Vietnamese and Japanese cultural elements in music, costumes, and choreography, presented by over 300 students from 10 local high schools.
The program also featured a continuous series of exciting competitions for students in Da Nang, including Japanese anime dubbing, Japanese mask painting, and Japanese-style lunch box (bento) decoration contests. In addition, young participants had the opportunity to explore Japanese culture and famous destinations in Japan through a smart tourism application. Through these activities, students gained deeper cultural understanding, strengthened their cultural connection, and built greater confidence in preparing for their future study and career journeys in Japan.