Vietnam and Japan to promote parliamentary cooperation substantively

The visit aims to strengthen cooperative relations between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Japanese Diet (parliament), while reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and globally. It also provides an opportunity for the two sides to exchange information and parliamentary experiences, creating new momentum for the development of bilateral relations.

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1973, Vietnam and Japan have progressively elevated their relationship, from a “Reliable, Long-Term Stable Partnership” in 2002 to “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia” in 2009 and “Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia” in 2014, and most recently, a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World” in 2023.

The Vietnam-Japan relationship is built on strong foundations and shared interests, with broad consensus and support among Japan’s political parties. Political trust remains high through frequent visits and exchanges between the two countries’ senior leaders.

Economic and Trade Cooperation
Japan is Vietnam’s largest official development assistance provider, the second largest labour cooperation partner, the third largest investor, the third largest tourism partner, and the fourth largest trading partner. As of the end of fiscal year 2020, Japan had provided approximately US$27.5 billion in ODA loans to Vietnam, accounting for over 26% of the country’s total signed foreign loans.

By August 2024, Japan had 5,417 valid foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital exceeding US$79.3 billion, ranking third after the Republic of Korea and Singapore. Bilateral trade reached US$30.47 billion in the first eight months of 2024, a 5.07% increase year-on-year, with Vietnamese exports totaling US$16.1 billion (up 5.6%) and imports from Japan hitting US$14.37 billion (up 3.1%).

Security and defense cooperation remains a vital pillar of bilateral ties, with efforts to promote technology transfer, provide maritime security equipment, and conduct joint training and exchanges alongside Japan and international forces. Cooperation in UN peacekeeping missions is also expanding.

Labor and education cooperation is growing, alongside robust local-level cooperation, with over 110 agreements signed between Vietnamese and Japanese localities. Notable pairings include Ho Chi Minh City-Osaka, Hanoi-Fukuoka, Da Nang-Sakai, and many others.

Japan and Vietnam have also signed and implemented medium- and long-term visions for agricultural cooperation and climate change responses, with Japan providing consistent ODA support for Vietnam’s climate initiatives.

Parliamentary Relations
Parliamentary cooperation between Vietnam and Japan has advanced in line with the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World”. It has been strengthened through regular high-level exchanges, sharing of experiences among specialized committees and legislators, and effective implementation of agreements. The Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance have been pivotal in fostering collaboration in various fields.

During the December 3-7 visit, the two parliamentary leaders are expected to sign a cooperation agreement between the two legislative bodies, marking a significant milestone in bilateral parliamentary relations.

According to Deputy Chairwoman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee Le Thu Ha, this visit reflects Vietnam’s foreign policy direction and enhances sustainable parliamentary cooperation. The agreements to be reached will provide a foundation for advancing bilateral relations at both bilateral and multilateral forums, contributing to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The visit is highly valued by both countries’ leadership and is anticipated to yield positive outcomes, creating new momentum for the robust growth of Vietnam-Japan relations.