International seminar reviews 50 years of Vietnam – Japan relations
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.
Participants pose for a group photo at the event (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – An international seminar was held in Hanoi onJanuary 18, reviewing the 50-year relations between Vietnam and Japan and putting forth visions and new orientations to strengthen thebilateral ties.
Jointly held by the Ho ChiMinh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, the event is part of the activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam– Japan diplomatic ties (1973 – 2023).
Addressing the event, Nguyen Xuan Thang, HCMA President and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, highlighted the long-lasting relations between the two nations, whichwere established on the foundation of cultural and historical similarities,and affinity among the people of the two countries.
He said that the Vietnam - Japan relationship is vivid evidence of persistentefforts and perseverance to overcome difficulties and challenges, paving theway to build a good model of a relationship with increasingly similar interests,growing comprehensive cooperation, and deepened strategic trust.
Nguyen Xuan Thang, HCMA President and Chairman of the Central Theory Council speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
From the Investment Agreement signed in 2003, just five years later, the twocountries upgraded it to an economic partnership agreement, creating a solidlegal basis for promoting extensive cooperation across fields.
In 2009, Japan was the first G7 country to establish a strategic partnershipwith Vietnam, and also five years later, they upgraded their relations to an extensive strategic partnership for peace andprosperity in Asia.
Notably,in November 2023, the two countries issued a joint statementon the elevation of their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnershipfor peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, opening a newstage of development in the bilateral relations.
Thang expressed his belief that the Vietnam –Japan relations will grow stronger, deeper, and more comprehensive in thecoming time.
For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam YamadaTakio said that the factor that makes the relationship between Japan andVietnam increasingly close as it is today is the special ties between thetwo countries which were formed on the basis of the historical and culturalconnection.
The bilateral relations, now in the best stage ever, arebecoming increasingly close, the diplomat stressed, adding that preserving anddeepening this bond is a solid foundation for further elevating the relationship.
Participants analysed and discussed theoretical andpractical issues in the Vietnam - Japan relations over the past 50 years, andproposed many practical recommendations and solutions to realise the visionsand development orientations of the bilateral relations./.
Vietnam’s CMC Corporation and the Kyoto Computer Gakuin (KCG) exchanged an agreement on cooperation in education and training, within the framework of the Vietnam-Japan Business Forum in Tokyo on December 16.
Vietnam actively took part in and made important contributions to the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN - Japan Friendship and Cooperation while obtaining substantive results from bilateral activities in Japan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet has said.
Major General Vu Trung Kien, Deputy Commander in charge of law of the Vietnam Coast Guard and Vice Commandant Watanabe Yasunori of the Japan Coast Guard co-chaired the 10th bilateral meeting between the two forces in Tokyo on December 20.
Strong cultural industries will help promote Vietnam’s stature in the region, said Prof. Furuta Motoo, Rector of the Vietnam Japan University under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
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.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Participants pose for a group photo at the event (Photo: VNA) 
Nguyen Xuan Thang, HCMA President and Chairman of the Central Theory Council speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
