Addressing the function, Nghiem Vu Khai, president of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, highlighted milestones in bilateral ties over the years and affirmed that the ties have constantly developed despite many upheavals in the region and the world.

He said that during a visit to Japan in April 2009, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Japanese leaders agreed to establish a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.

“The visit was of great significance, opening up a new chapter in relations between the two countries,” said Mr Khai.

He said that bilateral cooperation has expanded in various areas such as politics, economics, education, science-technology and culture. Even though Japan was affected by the global economic recession, it decided to maintain official development assistance to Vietnam. Both countries are now working on major Japanese-funded projects to build a North-South express railway line, a North-South expressway, and the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park in Hanoi, as well as traffic projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

Sakaba Mitsuo, Japanese ambassador to Vietnam, said that the recently signed Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which will take effect in 10 days’ time, is expected to create an important legal foundation for promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

He expressed his belief that bilateral relations will further develop in the future as the newly-elected Japanese PM is also vice president of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance.