The Japanese embassy in Vietnam on December 17 signed contracts to provide non-refundable aid worth over US$1.14 million for seven small-scale projects in 2020, which are under a non-refundable programme for Vietnam at grassroots levels. 

The seven projects are in different fields such as: bomb and mine detection and clearance in the central province of Quang Binh; building clean water systems in the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan, building classrooms in the central province of Thanh Hoa and the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau, building inter-village roads in Lai Chau rovince, supplying Braille printing equipment for three northern provinces, and tuberculosis screening X-ray equipment.

Addressing the event, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio emphasised that the small scale projects would address the urgent needs of local residents.

“The Japanese government wants to further strengthen the bilateral relationship through the efficient use of Japanese technology. I hope the programme will touch the hearts of the people of the two countries,” said the Japanese ambassador.

The bomb detection and clearance project in Quang Binh is the one with the largest cost of the seven projects, with a total aid amount of over US$636,000.