Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino attended the premiere of a new opera in Vietnam. They are making their official visit there to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The couple visited the French-built historic opera house that staged the show in the capital Hanoi on Friday. They had a conversation with people involved in the production of the opera. Japan and Vietnam jointly produced it as one of the commemorative events.

The opera, titled "Princess Anio," is based on a true love story involving a Japanese man and a princess in current central Vietnam about 400 years ago.

Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro met the princess while visiting there on a trade mission. The couple married and moved to Japan.

Singers from both countries performed energetically in the opera. The Japanese Crown Prince and Princess applauded them for their performances, including the heroine's emotional song dedicated to her parents far away in her homeland.

An aide said the Crown Prince was impressed by the opera and called it wonderful.