Vietnam Festival in Yoyogi Park: Colorful Vietnamese Culture

Last Updated on March 2, 2026

Invited Out by an Old Friend

One early summer day, a friend asked me to join them at the Vietnam Festival in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. In this post, I’ll share the vibrant atmosphere of the festival and a list of essential items to bring for those who want to experience the authentic vibes of Vietnam right here in Tokyo.

Vietnam Festival

Even though Tokyo has plenty of Vietnamese restaurants, I had never been to Vietnam, so I was really excited to check out the official festival.

The festival took place in late May at Yoyogi Park, which is just a short walk from Harajuku Station. It was already lively when I arrived. Vietnamese food stalls and bright, colorful decorations greeted visitors right at the entrance. Coincidentally or not, a motorcycle parking area was right behind the decorations, which made it feel even more like Vietnam. This unexpected sight instantly transported me to the busy streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

We started by trying some Vietnamese snacks at the booths and then explored the festival grounds. Hand-washing stations were scarce, so pack plenty of wet wipes. Our hands got super sticky from the sweet sauce!

There were various stalls, including the traditional Vietnamese conical hats (Non La), shops selling local cashew nuts, Southeast Asian–style clothing, as well as booths from Vietnam Airlines and the Vietnamese Embassy.

It was a bit hot that day, and seeing the dancers wearing conical hats made me want one too. However, they were too big to take home, so I gave up on the idea. When we both tried them on, the Vietnamese staff member said, ‘Kawaii~!’ (Kawaii means ‘cute’ in Japanese.) If they had been available for rent, we might have asked to rent them.

I didn’t realize Vietnam was a cashew nut producer. The sample I tried had a richer flavor, partly thanks to the thin skin. The individual nuts were quite big as well. It’s not something I often see, so I skipped buying it there, but I’d like to buy it if I find it somewhere else next time.

Lunch time

As it got close to lunchtime, we returned to the food stall area. The banh mi sandwichies looked tempting, but I went with Bún bò Huế and black tea infused with lemongrass this time.

Bún bò Huế is a spicy beef noodle soup that originated in Hue, the ancient capital in central Vietnam. It features thick rice noodles (bún), a rich broth flavored with lemongrass and chili, and toppings such as beef, pork, fish cakes, and fresh herbs. It was a more flavorful broth than pho, and this stall’s version wasn’t spicy at all, despite how it looked. It was loaded with ingredients, the soup’s seasoning was just right, and I loved every spoonful. The meat may look red, but it’s fully cooked, so no worries!

The black tea with lemongrass was lightly sweet, served cold, and really tasty. I can see myself getting addicted to it! It offered a different kind of herbal flavor that was distinct from simply adding lemon, which I really enjoyed.

Next, We Tried…

We grabbed some skewers and Vietnamese-style sausages. There’s something about eating skewers outside that makes them extra delicious. The red one looked spicy, but it turned out to be sweet.

Since there weren’t many chairs, we had to eat standing up. A picnic sheet would have made it a lot more comfortable. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable lunchtime.

A Little Something to Remember

My friend came across a shop full of cute bracelets. With so many colors available, we couldn’t decide at first, but I picked the gray one in the end. It was a Japanese shop, so I don’t know if the bracelets were made in Vietnam, but we loved them. They are slightly sheer, making them perfect for summer, but their muted colors mean they could also be worn in autumn.

Choosing something I can wear every day as a travel memento makes me feel happy whenever it catches my eye.

Final Thoughts

Since this was an official festival, it felt truly authentic. For someone like me with little time for overseas travel, it was the perfect event. It gave me new discoveries and a wonderful change of pace, making it a very well-spent time. In high spirits after the Vietnam Festival, we went to Harakado mall and enjoyed some sweet Vietnamese coffee while having one last chat.

Check out another post where I show how I styled it with clothes!
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My Favorite Accessories and Outfit Color Ideas

Information

Information, prices and exchange rates are current as of my visit but may change. Please check official sites.

What to Bring:

Essential Items for the Festival

Wet wipes: Handy for cleaning your hands after enjoying street food.
Cash (small bills/coins): Many food stalls may not accept credit cards or digital payments.
A foldable fan or sunshade: To stay cool while walking through the crowds.
A plastic bag: Useful for keeping any trash until you find a bin.
A picnic blanket: Some venues may not have enough seating, so it’s useful for taking a break on the grass.

Yoyogi Park Event Plaza

Access:
600 m / 0.37 mi from Harajuku Station