President Vo Van Thuong and his wife received the Japanese Crown Prince and Princess at the Presidential Palace in September 2023. (Source: VNA)

Could the Ambassador share information and significance of this visit of President Vo Van Thuong and his wife to Japan?

The official visit to Japan next week by President Vo Van Thuong and his wife is of great significance. This is the first visit to Japan by President Vo Van Thuong as head of state, and it coincides with the 50th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

The relationship between the two countries over the past 50 years, especially after 9 years of upgrading to Extensive Strategic Partnership in 2014, has achieved many strong, remarkable, and comprehensive developments with high political trust in all fields of economics, trade, investment, defense-security, culture-education, agriculture, health, labor, people-to-people exchange, local cooperation, etc.

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu speaks at the press conference. (Source: VNA)

In 2023, the two countries will organize nearly 500 practical and meaningful activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, contributing to strengthening and deepening the friendship and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

It can be said that never before has the strengthening of cooperative relations between the two countries received such broad consensus from the States, Governments and peoples of the two countries.

Both Vietnam and Japan attach great importance to this visit of President Vo Van Thuong. This is an important political event, an opportunity for the two countries' senior leaders to discuss and agree on major directions and specific measures to bring the Vietnam-Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership to a new stage of development that is stronger, more comprehensive, more substantial and more effective, meeting the interests and aspirations of the people of the two countries, and making positive contributions to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In short, the visit will open a new page in Vietnam-Japan relations.

Regarding Vietnam-Japan relations, 2023 is indeed a very "colorful" year as both countries have made efforts to organize a series of activities in different fields to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Looking back on that journey, what would you like to emphasize?

In 2023, Vietnam and Japan will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2023). This is a good opportunity to bring the relationship between the two countries into a new stage of development, while building and shaping the framework for the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation in the next 50 years; an opportunity for our ministries, branches and localities to strengthen multifaceted cooperation and friendly exchanges with Japan.

In that spirit, in 2023, the two sides have been and will continue to carry out many diverse activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. High-level and all-level exchanges have taken place vigorously. Many economic exchange activities such as organizing seminars, economic talks, and Vietnamese goods weeks have been held with high frequency.

Local cooperation has been promoted through programs promoting Vietnamese localities in Japan and promoting Japanese localities in Vietnam. Cultural, artistic, sports and people-to-people exchange activities have taken place vigorously. Many large-scale cultural exchange events are expected by the people of the two countries, such as the Vietnam Festival in Japan and the Opera “Princess Anio”.

It can be said that the Vietnam-Japan relationship is at its best in history, worthy of a deep strategic partnership based on sincerity, affection, trust, for peace, cooperation, development in the region, in the world and for the benefit of the people of each country. This is the result of the continuous efforts of the two countries over the past years based on political trust and the broad support of the people of the two countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu welcomed Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko to visit Vietnam in September 2023. (Source: VNA)

During his official visit to Vietnam in May 2022, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio emphasized that the potential for cooperation between the two countries is limitless. Based on the implementation in the area, what is your assessment of this potential?

Since May 2023, I have been honored to assume the responsibility of Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan. In a short time, I have felt the broad support of Japanese leaders, politicians, the business community, and the Japanese people for further developing the Vietnam-Japan relationship, bringing the relationship between the two countries to a new height, especially in 2023, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The economies of Vietnam and Japan are highly complementary. Vietnam has a population of over 100 million people, a dynamic, fast-growing economy, an abundant labor force, a stable economic and political environment, favorable conditions for investment and business, and is considered by Japanese friends to be an attractive and reliable investment destination.

Vietnam’s economic growth prospects are opening up many opportunities for cooperation with businesses from Japan, a leading industrialized country with advantages in capital, technology and management. Cooperation in the fields of ODA, FDI, trade and tourism has been effective and continues to create great benefits for both countries.

In addition, human resource development is becoming the foundation for cooperation between the two countries. Currently, the total number of Vietnamese people in Japan has reached half a million, making Vietnam the second largest foreign community in Japan, living, working and studying in all provinces and cities of Japan, thereby helping to promote the Japanese economy, meeting Japan's labor needs in many different fields.

In the context of Vietnam's efforts to modernize the country, the need to develop modern infrastructure, advanced energy solutions, and a comprehensive education system is huge... These are areas in which Japan has strengths, a golden opportunity for Japanese enterprises to grasp and expand cooperation with Vietnam.

The interesting exchange between Vietnamese and Japanese folk songs is an activity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations. (Source: VNA)

As the Ambassador commented, Vietnam-Japan relations are at their best in history. So what are the important foundations for achieving these good results?

The relationship between the two countries has a high level of strategic trust. Through many ups and downs, changes in the world, regional and national situations, the relationship between the two countries has witnessed rapid, remarkable and comprehensive development, and has now become extremely important partners of each other, sharing many strategic interests.

The two countries regularly exchange high-level delegations and hold meetings on the sidelines of international and regional conferences, thereby strengthening the trust between the two countries' leaders and setting out major orientations for effective development in bilateral relations in all fields.

The two sides also cooperate closely and effectively at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN+ conferences, APEC, ASEM... together contributing increasingly positively to peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region, in line with each country's foreign policy. Japan is a leading G7 country in promoting relations with Vietnam (establishing a strategic partnership in 2009, recognizing Vietnam's market economy status in 2011...).

The Vietnamese and Japanese peoples have many similarities in culture, customs and long-standing exchanges. This relationship has been nurtured by generations to become as close and intimate as it is today. The people of the two countries always sympathize, share, support and assist each other when facing difficulties.

This is clearly demonstrated in the movement of sharing and donating to support the Japanese people that was widely organized in Vietnam when the historic earthquake and tsunami occurred in the northeastern region of Japan in March 2011, as well as the fact that the Government and people of Japan were the first country to provide large-scale Covid-19 vaccine aid to Vietnam when the epidemic situation was complicated in our country.

Thank you Ambassador!