Ms Phong also called on Japanese enterprises to invest more in Vietnam, particularly in energy, transport, environment, health care and education.

She thanked the Nation Diet of Japan and the Japanese Government for maintaining the official development assistance (ODA) level for Vietnam despite its own financial crisis and natural disasters.

Japan has committed US$1.9 billion in aid to Vietnam this year.

Hatoyama, who is also former Prime Minister of Japan, confirmed that his country wants to expand ties with Vietnam in all fields.

The Parliamentary Alliance is doing its best to enhance the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries, he said.

He also thanked Vietnam’s support in cash and kind worth US$7.8 million to Japan after his country suffered from triple disasters in March 2011.