Speaking at a ceremony, VJFA Chairman Nghiem Vu Khai expressed his honour to receive such a noble award.
The close relationship between the two peoples and the similarities in culture and customs are characteristic of the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, Khai said, adding that he would try further to promote understanding between the two peoples, creating a firm foundation for the sustainable development of the Vietnam-Japan friendship and co-operation.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Hiroshi Fukada spoke highly of Khai's efforts towards the development of the friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Japan in the past years. He also expressed his belief that VJFA Chairman Khai would continue to bolster the two countries’ relationship in the future.
Nghiem Vu Khai was appointed as the first president of the Vietnam Association of Japan Alumni in 2001 and became VJFA chairman in 2008.
Khai has helped establish 18 VJFA branches in many cities and provinces in Vietnam. He has also been proactive in boosting bi-lateral exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries’ peoples and introducing Japanese literature and culture to the Vietnamese people—particularly by translating and publishing Japanese poetry.
Khai was awarded a scholarship by the Japanese Government and earned a master’s degree in Japan. Since 1990, when the bi-lateral relationship saw new developments with Japan’s economic aid to Vietnam, he has maintained and expanded the activities of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Union (VJFPU). Since being elected to the National Assembly in 2002, he has become a VJFPU member and has continued to promote exchanges between the two countries’ parliamentarians.
