Mimasaka is a small city in Okayama prefecture in western Japan, with a population of about 25,000. Despite geographically distant from Vietnam, the people of Mimasaka hold a deep affection for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. These sentiments are expressed in unique ways. On the occasion of the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890–May 19, 2025), VOV’s resident correspondent in Japan spoke with Mimasaka Mayor Hagiwara Seiji about this treasured connection.

VOV: The city of Mimasaka has dedicated a spacious and solemn area to the Vietnam–Ho Chi Minh cultural space. This must come from a special affection that the people of Mimasaka hold for Vietnam. Is that right? Mayor?

Mayor Hagiwara Seiji: Yes. Mimasaka is the only city in Japan and the 18th city in the world to have a statue of President Ho Chi Minh. Every year, many visitors from both Japan and abroad come to Mimasaka to pay their respects at the statue. Personally, I have a long-standing relationship and deep affection for Vietnam, and I greatly respect the Vietnamese people, who are honest and hardworking. In particular, I deeply admire President Ho Chi Minh, who helped nurture such people. Even when I was a child, during the Vietnam War, I had already heard of him. The name Ho Chi Minh has long been familiar to many generations of Japanese and is revered alongside other great figures of the world. These special sentiments form an important foundation for the bilateral relationship.

VOV: Today, the relationship between Mimasaka and Vietnam has made great progress. Could you share some key aspects of this friendship and cooperation?

Mayor Hagiwara Seiji: First, I must emphasize the importance of people-to-people exchanges between the two sides. Currently, about 400 Vietnamese are living, studying, and working in our city. Thanks to the positive sentiments towards Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, and the admirable qualities of the Vietnamese people, they are highly appreciated here, and people-to-people exchanges are growing rapidly. Notably, we have established cooperative ties with the University of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in human resource training. Since the beginning of this year, two Vietnamese nationals have been working at the city hall. In addition, many of our local businesses are investing in Vietnam. We are also considering investment in Yen Bai province, our sister locality.

VOV: Going forward, as Mayor and on behalf of the city’s administration, what measures will you take to further boost relations with Vietnamese agencies and localities as well as with Vietnam?

Mayor Hagiwara Seiji: First, I want to expand people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, as this is a very important foundation for other forms of cooperation. We also hope to step up cooperation with Yen Bai province in training, dispatching, and receiving nursing staff. Furthermore, we plan to boost bilateral tourism cooperation. In the past, we have encouraged Mimasaka residents to travel to Vietnam.

We are currently working to attract Vietnamese tourists, beginning with those already living, studying, and working in Japan.

In the long term, we will do our best to offer the most favorable conditions for more Vietnamese to live and work in Mimasaka. I believe that with the deep affection for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam, our relationship will continue to flourish and grow in the time ahead.

VOV: Thank you very much.

Special art programme honours President Ho Chi Minh’s 135th birthday

VOV.VN - A special art programme at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi has gathered top Vietnamese leaders to mark President Ho Chi Minh’s 135th birthday, evoking national pride and reverence for the beloved leader across the country.