Vietnam – Japan partnership developing strongly, says Consul General

Addressing a function celebrating the 79th National Day of Vietnam in Osaka on August 30, Ha highlighted the significance of the general uprising of the 1945 August Revolution, culminating in the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on September 2, 1945.

He noted that over the past 79 years the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, have overcome numerous challenges and achieved significant accomplishments in the struggle for national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as in rebuilding the country after the war.

The Vietnamese economy has grown strongly, while its foreign relations have been increasingly expanded, he said.

Talking about the Vietnam – Japan relations, the diplomat recalled that the two countries organized more than 500 events last year commemorating 50 years of their diplomacy, including upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s crucial partners. Two-way trade turnover last year hit more than US$45 billion, making Japan the fourth-largest trading partner of Vietnam. Japan was also Vietnam’s second-largest direct investor, with a total investment of US$6.57 billion.

In his speech, the Deputy Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Yamaguchi Nobuhiko, read a congratulatory letter from Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi, thanking the Consulate General for their significant efforts in promoting relations between Vietnam and the Kansai region.

Since Osaka signed a friendship exchange document with Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam in 2007, relations between Osaka and Vietnam have developed across various fields such as economics, culture, and tourism. Last May, an investment and trade promotion seminar was held in Ho Chi Minh City, providing an opportunity for businesses from both sides to strengthen cooperation.

The Osaka government collaborates closely with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka to organize events, such as the Vietnam Festival 2024 in Osaka and Ho Chi Minh City Day in Osaka to enhance economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the two countries.

The Governor expressed his belief that with the World Expo 2025 to be held in Osaka, cooperative exchanges between Osaka and Vietnam would continue to be strengthened.

Taking the floor, Ambassador Himeno Tsutomu, the representative of the Japanese government in the Kansai region, extended Japanese cngratulations to the people of Vietnam, wishing that the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, in general, and between Vietnam and the Kansai region, in particular, will continue to develop further.

The participating distinguished guests enjoyed a performance of traditional musical instruments at the event.