2023 is a special year in Vietnam-Japan and ASEAN-Japan relations, marking a milestone of 50 years of development of our extensive and increasingly strong friendship and cooperation.
Vietnam and Japan officially established diplomatic relations on Sept. 21, 1973. Since then, despite numerous fluctuations and changes in the global and regional landscapes, as well as within each nation, the friendly relations and collaboration between our countries have witnessed rapid, extraordinary and all-encompassing development. Over these five decades, both nations have evolved into vital partners, sharing many common strategic interests.
Japan and Vietnam’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World sets a robust foundation for both countries to further strengthen our enduring bond amid rapid global and regional transformations. Japan consistently remains Vietnam’s top partner in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure development and technical support.
In recent times, Vietnam’s economy has deeply integrated with the global economy and has become an integral part of the global supply chain. Vietnam is a dynamic and rapidly growing economy with a large labor force, a stable economic and political environment, and favorable conditions for investment and business. These factors make Vietnam an attractive and trustworthy investment destination.
The prospects for Vietnam’s economic growth are opening numerous opportunities for cooperation with companies from Japan, a country that is considered a developed industrial country with advantages in capital, technology and management.
As a responsible member of ASEAN, Vietnam is always proactive in promoting the consolidation and enhancement of ASEAN-Japan relations, contributing to deepening the relationship and developing it in an effective, substantive and mutually beneficial manner. When Japan proposed to organize a commemorative summit and establish the ASEAN-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023, Vietnam quickly supported it and always actively and promptly contributed to efforts to concretize these proposals, ensuring compliance with the road map that ASEAN and Japan set out at the beginning of the year. The Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will continue to contribute to the success of the ASEAN-Japan summit, creating a new milestone in ASEAN-Japan relations in general and Vietnam-Japan relations in particular.
During the most stressful period of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the role of coordinating ASEAN-Japan relations in the period from 2018 to 2021, Vietnam implemented coordination work creatively, in accordance with the situation and the need for cooperation, bringing real benefits to both sides.
I am truly honored to have assumed the role of ambassador of Vietnam to Japan in May. In a relatively short time, I have felt the widespread support of Japanese leaders, politicians, the business community and the people of Japan for the robust development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship. I hope to elevate our bilateral ties to new heights, especially as 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries.
Amid the rapidly changing global and regional landscape, the enduring and strong relationship between Vietnam and Japan has been, is and will continue to be a valuable asset, delivering substantial benefits to the people of both nations.
I firmly believe that the alignment of strategies, long-standing cultural exchanges, the high complementarity of our economies and the connection and support between the Vietnamese and Japanese people are the foundation and driving force for the continued robust development of our relationship, while at the same time making a positive contribution to peace, stability and development within the region and across the world.
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