
The spouse of General Secretary and President To Lam, Ngo Phuong Ly, attends the fashion exchange program, entitled "Threads of Connection", Tokyo, Japan, November 8, 2026 - Photo: VNA
The fashion exchange program, entitled "Threads of Connection" held in Tokyo on November 8, carried symbolic significance, using collections by Vietnamese and Japanese designers to highlight the similarities between the two countries and their shared pride in their respective traditions and cultural identities.
Japanese guests of honor included Mori Yoko, spouse of Speaker of Japan's House of Representatives Mori Eisuke, and Abe Akie, widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
At the event, the Vietnamese designer presented the "Ikigai" collection, featuring silk garments made from handwoven silk in a variety of textures.
The designs combine modern silhouettes with subtle influences from traditional Vietnamese attire across different historical periods. They not only convey stories about the meaning of life and the joy artisans find in their work, but also express pride in the country's rich historical and cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, the Japanese designer showcase the structured elegance of Kyoto silk and traditional Japanese weaving techniques.
The program opens up opportunities for partnerships and exchanges between artisans, contributing to the development of handicrafts and sustainable fashion industries in both countries.

The spouse of General Secretary and President To Lam, Ngo Phuong Ly, attends the opening ceremony of the Viet Nam-Japan sculpture exhibition themed "Dialogue", Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, November 9, 2026 - Photo: VNA
On November 9, Ngo joined the opening ceremony of the Viet Nam-Japan sculpture exhibition themed "Dialogue" in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The exhibition features 31 works by 18 sculptors from different generations, including 13 Vietnamese and five Japanese artists. This is the first time an overseas exhibition has brought together such a large number of prominent contemporary Vietnamese sculptors.
These activities build on the longstanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, reaffirming the role of culture and the arts as an important bridge for strengthening mutual understanding, trust and bonds between the peoples of Viet Nam and Japan./.