Vietnam-Japan friendship trees planted in Da Nang

The tree plantation, an initiative of the JBAD with contributions from Japanese enterprises in Da Nang, is one of a series of activities throughout the year 2023, promoting the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, as well as Japan and Da Nang, Vice Chairman of the Union Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen said.

She said star apple trees, grown at Lien Chieu District’s Park, will imprint a deeper and closer relationship between the two countries, and Da Nang with Japanese partners.

Head of JCCID, Hirayama Keiji, said these star apple trees act as a typical symbol of the longer and stronger ties between Japan and Vietnam.

He said the tree growing event not only marked the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties but also contributed to a greener earth as Vietnam and Japan look towards a ‘green’ future.

Keiji Hirayama said that the event also welcomed the elevation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.

Shimonishi Kiyoshi, Deputy Head of the Japanese General Consulate in Da Nang, said many cultural exchanges and activities have been held in Vietnam, including Da Nang, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

A painting and writing competition on Japan was organised among students at schools in the city. Free community concerts by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) Five, as well as the annual Japanese Cultural Day in Da Nang, were held, he said.

Da Nang was a stop for the Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko as part of their official trip to Vietnam.

The city is home to 228 investment projects from Japan, worth US$1.04 billion, creating 40,000 jobs for provinces in central Vietnam.

Da Nang has been calling for stronger and deeper investment from Japanese businesses in Kisarazu, Yokohama, Osaka, Chiba, and Kanagawa, in Japan.

More than 300 students from the Da Nang-based private university have been employed by Japanese companies for work and study in Japan since 2017.

Nine cities in Japan, including Fukuoka, Yokohama, Maebashi, Chiba, Shizuoka, Tokyo, Tottori, and Nagasaki, and 82 Japanese businesses, have inked cooperation deals for human resources training and employment from central Vietnam.

The Da Nang Mikazuki Japanese Resort & Spa, which was put into operation in Lien Chieu district, has been seen as the largest investment from Japan in Da Nang.

Four prefectures from Japan, including Kisarazu, Kawasaki, Sakai, and Yokohama, have inked friendships and cooperation with Da Nang, and the annual Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Day has been organised in Da Nang since 2014.

Japan upgraded its Consulate Office in Da Nang City to a General Consulate just a year after it was founded in 2020.