Former Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan was conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, first-class Grand Cross, of the Japanese Government at a ceremony held in Hanoi on January 24.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio (right) presents the Order of the Rising Sun, first-class Grand Cross, to former NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on January 24. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Former Chairwoman of the NationalAssembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan was conferred with the Order of the RisingSun, first-class Grand Cross, of the Japanese Government at a ceremony held inHanoi on January 24.
The event saw the presence of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue,Standing Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and vice chairmen Nguyen Khac Dinh andNguyen Duc Hai.
Onbehalf of the Emperor and Government of Japan, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio announced the decision and handed over the order to Ngan.
Yamada emphasised the former parliament leader’s enormouscontributions to the reinforcement of the friendship between the two countries, whileserving in different positions, from Minister of Labour, Invalids and SocialAffairs to Vice Chair and then Chair of the NA.
He noted that as Vice Chairwoman and Chairwoman of the NA,Ngan promoted exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries. She also helpedenhance political trust as seen in the visits to Vietnam by the speakers and vice speakers of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors ofJapan, along with other high-ranking leaders of the Northeast Asian nation.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio addresses the event. (Photo: VNA)
Earlier, as Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs,she had made active contributions to labour cooperation, including stepping upthe sending of Vietnamese nurses to Japan under the countries’ EconomicPartnership Agreement, the ambassador said, adding nearly 1,900 nurses ofVietnam have come to work in his country so far.
The total number of Vietnamese studying and working in Japannow approximates 520,000.
Describing Vietnamese personnel as an indispensable factor ofJapan’s socioeconomic development, he voiced his hope that bilateralcooperation will grow further and in various forms to meet aspirations,and that Vietnamese workers will have a higher stature and help to stronglyconnect the countries together.
Expressing her pride to receive the order, former ChairwomanNgan called this a great honour reflecting Japan’s evaluation of herperformance.
Shewished the Vietnam - Japan relations will continue to flourish in the future./.
Ho Chi Minh City highly values Japan’s cooperation in and support for infrastructure development, and will create optimal conditions for Japanese constructors to implement such projects, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong on December 20.
Politburo member, Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Secretariat, and Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee's Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai on December 25 held talks with Chairman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Central Committee Shii Kazuo who is paying an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of CPV Central Committee.
An international seminar was held in Hanoi on January 18, reviewing the 50-year relations between Vietnam and Japan and putting forth visions and new orientations to strengthen the bilateral ties.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on January 18 sent congratulations to Tamura Tomoko on her election as Chairwoman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Central Committee for the 29th tenure.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio (right) presents the Order of the Rising Sun, first-class Grand Cross, to former NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on January 24. (Photo: VNA) 
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio addresses the event. (Photo: VNA) 
