Japanese Crown Prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in Vietnam

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko touch down in Hanoi on the afternoon of September 20, starting their official visit to Vietnam as part of the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations which started in 1973.

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 2

The welcoming ceremony for the Crown Prince and his wife is held at the Presidential Office on the morning of September 21 by VP Xuan.

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 3

The distinguished Japanese guests will attend a ceremony to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between both sides at the National Convention Centre on the evening of September 21.

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 4

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 5

The visit marks the third made by Japanese Crown Prince Akishino following trips to the country in both 1999 and 2012.

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 6

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 7

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 8

The visit takes place amid the extensive strategic partnership between the nation and Japan seeing strong developments in terms of economics, trade, investment, defence-security, agriculture, labour, culture, culture, tourism, education-training, and expanding into new fields, such as digital transformation and green transformation.

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 9

The visit made by Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and his wife is of special significance as it is the first overseas trip taken by the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it is also the first visit to the country made by members of the Japanese Imperial Family six years after the visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan in 2017.

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 10

The group come together to pose for a photo.

japanese crown prince warmly welcomed upon arrival in vietnam picture 11

The visit will contribute to promoting the extensive strategic partnership between both sides to new heights, enhancing mutual understanding of the two countries' people regarding the achievements in bilateral ties over the past five decades, and creating a solid basis to step up local co-operation and people-to-people exchanges.