During the past weekend, the On-Matsuri festival took place in Hanoi, attracting a large number of participants from the capital. The festival’s atmosphere was further enhanced by the presence of many cosplayers, who provided fantastic experiences for visitors. However, as the festival concluded, there were some complaints regarding the organization, prompting the On-Matsuri organizing committee to address these concerns.
The initial complaints revolved around the limited food options at the festival, specifically the presence of only one stall selling Japanese food. According to the organizing committee, the limited space for food stalls was not intended to restrict food sales but rather to create a more spacious environment for participants to enjoy the festival.
Limited food stalls allowed participants more space to enjoy the festival.
Furthermore, the high prices of food and beverages were attributed to the expensive rental fees for food stalls. This drove the prices of Japanese food to be higher than usual, and attendees could also opt for nearby eateries outside the festival area, where prices were more affordable. Thus, it was unnecessary for attendees to feel obligated to purchase food at the festival.
In addition to food, beverages at the On-Matsuri festival were priced at 40,000 VND for a single cup. This price was notably high, as it was three times more expensive than a typical cup of sugarcane juice, which generally costs around 10,000 VND. Hence, the beverage prices at the festival were only marginally higher than average.
Festival participants faced some challenges regarding management.
Lastly, there were concerns about the crowd control and safety measures during the festival. The organizing committee mentioned that managing such a large influx of visitors posed significant challenges. While security efforts were made, incidents of lost items were difficult to avoid, as can occur in any large festival. However, the committee assured that they would take measures to improve the event’s management in the future.
Overall, the explanations provided by the On-Matsuri organizing committee were quite reasonable. However, festival-goers hope to have the best possible experience and look forward to future improvements that could enhance their enjoyment during festivals in Hanoi.
