Vietnam consistently considers Japan one of its most important and long-term strategic partners that will continue to accompany the country in the new era, said Party General Secretary To Lam.
Party General Secretary To Lam (R) and Chairwoman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance (JVPFA) Obuchi Yuko. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary To Lam has praised the significance of ongoing Vietnam visit by Chairwoman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance (JVPFA) Obuchi Yuko, saying that it contributes to further deepening the Vietnam – Japan comprehens🍌ive strategic partnership.
During a reception in Hanoi on August 7 for Obuchi, who is also a member of Japan's House of Representatives, the Party chief hailed the first visit by a JVPFA leader since both countries elevated their ties two years ago.
He suggested Obuchi carry forward the legacy of past JVPFA leaders, including her late father, former Prime Minister Obuchi Keizo, former Chairmen Nikai and Takebe, by maintaining strong support and making active contributions to the development of Vietnam–Japan relations.
Reflecting on the over-1,300-year history of cultural and diplomatic exchanges between the two countries, he expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relationship, saying it is in the period of good, pragmatic, and wide-ranging development, with a high level of political trust, vibrant high-level exchanges, and growing collaboration in economy, labour, education and training, as well as emerging fields like green transition and digital transformation. Locality-to-locality, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are also progressing, he noted.
He praised the delegation’s packed agenda, particularly its presence at an investment promotion event in Can Tho city, which he said would advance collaboration in agriculture and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.
Obuchi recalled her father’s 1998 visit to Vietnam as JVPFA Chairman on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties. She pledged to uphold his legacy as a new-generation leader, committing to furthering Japan-Vietnam relations as the host suggested.
Impressed by Vietnam’s dynamic growth and the vitality of its people, she expressed confidence in the country’s future, citing its young population, Southeast Asia’s highest economic growth rate, and educated workforce.
Japan backs Vietnam’s reform efforts and expects to stand alongside the country as it pursues development goals in the new era, she said, stressing the need to expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors, not only in politics, economy, trade, and investment, but also national defence-security, and people-to-people exchanges. She committed to close collaboration to advance the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a new stage of development.
She underscored her commitment to strengthening parliamentary exchanges between the two nations’ friendship groups and deepening cooperation in infrastructure, emissions reduction, green transition, and urban rail projects.
The host Party leader, in reply, reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations.
"Vietnam consistently considers Japan one of its most important and long-term strategic partners that will continue to accompany the country in the new era," he said.
At the reception (Photo: VNA)
He suggested that JVPFA back the increased exchange of high-ranking delegations and the promotion of national defence-security cooperation. He also urged efforts to further connect the two economies and encourage Japanese firms’ involvement in Vietnam’s key strategic infrastructure and new energy projects, especially those that can serve as symbols of the Vietnam–Japan partnership.
He advocated for expanded collaboration in sci-tech, innovation, and quality workforce training; alongside deeper local-level and cultural exchanges. He sought continued support for the 600,000-strong Vietnamese community in Japan and called for mutual support at international and regional forums, particularly amid the evolving global and regional developments.
JVPFA leaders and members expressed admiration for Vietnam’s reforms under the drastic leadership of General Secretary Lam. They expressed support for further enhancing Japan–Vietnam relations and wished to boost all-around cooperation.
They proposed launching the Japan–Vietnam “2+2” dialogue mechanism involving foreign and defence ministries in 2025, alongside flagship projects like the Vietnam Japan University, infrastructure and energy development, and people-to-people exchanges./.
Nearly two years after the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, the Vietnam-Japan relationship has made comprehensive progress across all fields.
At the meeting, the two sides also discussed orientations to enhance cooperation in all fields, including economy–trade, defence–security, science–technology, energy, high-tech agriculture, strategic-level cadre training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Deputy Prime Minister praised Takebe's efforts in promoting Vietnam-Japan relations, particularly in education, human resources development, and cultural exchanges. He expressed his delight at the growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries..
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
