On September 2, 1978, the
Vietnam - Japan Cultural House was opened for public use. It was
built in the centre of Hạ Long City; a gift from the Japanese Sohyo Trade Union to the General Trade Union of Vietnam. It is a
modern cultural construction, reaching international standards of
design, sound and lighting systems and performance stages. The dimensions are quite
wide, with a 720-seat auditorium for artistic performances,
movies, meetings or conferences. There are also extra rooms for
practice, exhibition. Many artistic clubs and associations meet
here on a regular basis. The centre has seen many
important events take place in the mining zone: assemblies of the
Quang Ninh Communist Party, appearances by Hạ Long City
authorities, UNESCO’s ceremony recognizing Hạ Long Bay as a World
Heritage Site and a welcoming meeting for two astronauts (Gorbako
from the Soviet Union and Pham Tuân from Vietnam - the first
people of Vietnam flew into the universe). Over the last 23 years, the
Vietnam - Japan Cultural House has participated in various
competitive performances in Ha Nôi, receiving many gold and silver
medals from the Ministry of Culture and Information and the
General Trade Union of Vietnam.
