The visit opens new page for Vietnam - Japan relations: Ambassador. At the image: President Vo Van Thuong and his Spouse received Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visiting Vietnam in September 2023. (Source: VNA)

Could you share significanes of the visit by President Vo Van Thuong to Japan?

The official visit to Japan by President Vo Van Thuong is of great importance. This is the first visit to Japan by President Vo Van Thuong as Head of State, right on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

Relations between the two countries over the past 50 years, especially after 9 years of upgrading to "Extensive Strategic Partnership" in 2014, have seen many strong, outstanding and comprehensive developments with high political trust in all fields of economy, trade, investment, defense-security, culture-education, agriculture, health, labor, people-to-people exchange, local cooperation...

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu. (Photo: VNA)

In 2023, the two countries have organized nearly 500 practical and meaningful activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, contributing to strengthening and deepening the friendship and mutual understanding between people of the two countries.

It can be said that never before has the strengthening of cooperative relations between the two countries received such broad consensus from the States, Governments and people of the two countries.

Both Vietnam and Japan attach great importance to this visit to Japan by President Vo Van Thuong. This is an important political event, an opportunity for senior leaders of the two countries to discuss and agree on major directions and specific measures to enhance the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership entering a new phase of development that is stronger, more comprehensive, substantive and effective, meeting the interests and aspirations of the two peoples, making a positive contribution to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

For Vietnam-Japan relations, 2023 is a "colorful" year as both countries have managed to organize a series of activities in different fields to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. Looking back on that journey, what are impressive things you want to emphasize?

In 2023, Vietnam and Japan celebrate 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2023). This is a good opportunity to bring the two countries' relations into a new stage of development, while building and shaping the framework for Vietnam-Japan friendly cooperation in the next 50 years; creating opportunities for our ministries and localities to strengthen multi-faceted cooperation and friendly exchanges with Japan.

In that spirit, in 2023, the two sides have been to carrying out many diverse activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. High-level and all-level exchanges took place vibrantly. Many economic exchange activities such as organizing seminars, economic discussions, and Vietnam Weekly are held with high frequency.

Local cooperation has been promoted through programs promoting Vietnamese localities in Japan and promoting Japanese localities in Vietnam. Cultural, artistic, sports and people-to-people exchange activities take place vibrantly. Many large-scale cultural exchange events are expected by the people of the two countries, such as the Vietnam Festival in Japan and the opera "Princess Anio".

It can be said that Vietnam-Japan relations are at the best stage in history, worthy of an extensive strategic partnership based on sincerity, affection, trust, for peace and cooperation, development in the region, the world and for the benefit of the people of each country. That is the result of the two countries' continuous efforts over the years on the basis of political trust and broad support from the two peoples.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu welcomed Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visiting Vietnam 9/2023. (Source: VNA)

During his official visit to Vietnam in May 2022, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio emphasized that the potential for cooperation between the two countries is limitless. From practical implementation in Japan, what are your comments about that?

From May 2023, I am honored to take on the responsibility of Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan. Over a short period of time, I have felt the broad support of Japanese leaders, politicians, the business community, and the Japanese people for the further development of stronger Vietnam-Japan relations, bringing relations between the two countries to a new level, especially in 2023 - the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

The economies of Vietnam and Japan are highly complementary to each other. Vietnam has a population of more than 100 million people, a dynamic, fast-growing economy, an abundant labor force, a stable economic and political environment, favorable conditions for investment and business, and Japanese investors consider Vietnam as an attractive and reliable investment destination.

Vietnam's economic growth prospects are opening up many opportunities for cooperation with businesses from Japan, a leading industrialized country with advantages in capital, technology and management. Cooperation in the fields of ODA, FDI, trade and tourism has been effective and continues to create great benefits for both countries.

Besides, human resource development is becoming the foundation for cooperation between the two countries. Currently, the total number of Vietnamese people in Japan reaches half a million people, making Vietnam the second largest foreign community living, working and studying in all provinces and cities of Japan, thereby helping to promote the Japanese economy and meet Japan's labor needs in many different fields.

There are also many fields that Japan has strengths and are golden opportunities for Japanese businesses to seize and expand cooperation with Vietnam.

The fact that "Vietnam-Japan relations are at the best stage in the history" is the common assessment of both countries about the level of the bilateral relationship. In your opinion, what are the important foundations to achieve this success?

The relationship between the two countries has high strategic trust. Through many ups and downs and changes in the world, the region and each country, the relationship between the two countries has witnessed rapid, outstanding and comprehensive development, and has now become a very mutual important partnership, sharing many strategic benefits.

The two countries regularly exchange high-level delegations and organize meetings on the sidelines of international and regional conferences, thereby strengthening the trusting relationship between the leaders of the two countries and setting major directions for effective development in the bilateral relation in all fields.

The two sides also cooperate closely and effectively at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN+, APEC, ASEM conferences... together contributing actively to peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region, in accordance with each country's foreign policy. Japan is the leading G7 country in promoting relations with Vietnam (establishing a strategic partnership in 2009, recognizing market economy status for Vietnam in 2011...).

The two peoples of Vietnam and Japan have many similarities in culture, customs and long-standing exchanges. This relationship has been nurtured by generations to become as close and intimate as it is today. The people of the two countries always sympathize, share and support each other when facing difficulties.

This is clearly shown in the donation sharing movement to support the Japanese people that was widely held in Vietnam when the historic earthquake and tsunami occurred in the Northeast region of Japan in March 2011. And Japan were the first country to provide large-scale Covid-19 vaccine aid to Vietnam when the epidemic situation became complicated in our country.