Marking the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan (September 21, 1973 –September 21, 2025), Ambassador Ito Naoki reflected on key milestones, remarkable achievements, and future cooperation, affirming that bilateral ties are now closer than ever.
Viet Nam and Japan officially established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973, opening a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Over more than half a century, this relationship has been steadily consolidated and developed.
To mark the 50th anniversary, in November 2023, bilateral ties were elevated to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World”. This historic milestone reflected the high level of political trust, and extensive cooperation across multiple fields.
Expressing gratitude to the Government and people of Viet Nam for their contributions to fostering bilateral friendship and cooperation, Ambassador Ito stressed that relations are now at their closest point in history.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of Viet Nam on the occasion of the 80th National Day, September 2. Amidst the joyful atmosphere of the Vietnamese people, and with the country’s strong momentum for reform and growth, I am deeply honoured to contribute to strengthening the friendship between our two nations,” Ambassador Ito Naoki told the press.
He also underlined that Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s visit to Viet Nam in April yielded significant results, particularly Japan’s support for the reform path Viet Nam is pursuing in this new era, while reaffirming Japan’s commitment to further supporting Viet Nam’s development.
The Ambassador noted that the two countries had identified four priority areas of cooperation, which promise major breakthroughs in the near future. These include science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence (AI); strategic infrastructure; economic partnership and improved investment climate; and cooperation in security and defence.
Science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, semiconductors and AI have been defined by the two countries’ leaders as new pillars of cooperation. In semiconductors, joint training and research programmes have already begun to bear fruit.
An international joint research programme between five Vietnamese universities and five Japanese universities will commence from October this year, bringing over 60 Vietnamese PhD candidates to Japan. Japan is expected to receive 250 doctoral candidates, equivalent to half of Viet Nam’s target of 500 PhDs by 2030.
In AI, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is working with the Matsuo Laboratory at the University of Tokyo to boost AI training and research at Ha Noi University of Science and Technology, and the National Innovation Centre (NIC).
In green transition and energy, the two countries are jointly advancing investment projects worth around 20 billion USD, including offshore wind power, and LNG thermal power. In addition, Japan is considering a programme loan of more than 300 million USD this year to support Viet Nam in responding to climate change and accelerating the green transition.
According to Ambassador Ito, Japan will also leverage its strengths to cooperate with Viet Nam in infrastructure, particularly projects that improve the environment and enhance quality of life for Ha Noi residents.
The Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant, funded by a Japanese ODA loan of 200 million USD, was recently inaugurated. Meanwhile, the “North Ha Noi Smart City” project has been launched, aiming to build an urban area that harmoniously combines Japanese culture and technology. Ha Noi Metro Line 2 is expected to break ground in October, with Japan eager to cooperate further to extend the line to Noi Bai International Airport.
The Ambassador also highlighted the strong growth of bilateral economic ties. Japanese investment in Viet Nam has reached 80 billion USD, with more than 2,000 Japanese enterprises operating in the country, about 60% of which plan to expand business in the next one to two years. Annual bilateral trade turnover has reached 50 billion USD.
He praised Viet Nam’s reforms, which are opening up favourable opportunities to deepen cooperation between enterprises from both countries.
Japan hopes that reforms such as streamlining administrative procedures, expediting licensing, decentralising authority, and utilising ODA funds effectively.
On security and defence, the Ambassador noted that Japan’s Foreign Minister is scheduled to visit Ha Noi this year to co-chair the Japan-Viet Nam Cooperation Committee. The first session of the “2+2” mechanism at Deputy Minister level of Foreign Affairs and Defence will also be held to promote defence industry cooperation and equipment transfer.
Ambassador Ito stressed that cultural and people-to-people exchanges are the solid foundation of bilateral friendship. Regular cultural and sports events are held, notably the musical “Princess Anio”, to be staged in Yokohama next year, recreating the love story between a Japanese merchant and a Vietnamese princess.
In sports, football cooperation between the Japan Football Association (JFA) and the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) is being implemented, including the dispatch of coaches. Next June, leading Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale will tour Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Last year, about 710,000 Japanese tourists visited Viet Nam, while 620,000 Vietnamese travelled to Japan. The two countries aim to increase this to one million visitors each way by 2030. At present, around 630,000 Vietnamese are living in Japan, with expectations that the figure will also reach one million.
Ambassador Ito Naoki affirmed that Japan would make every effort to further advance bilateral friendship and cooperation. “Within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation to help maintain peace and stability in the region. Japan will stand with Viet Nam in continuing the story of peace,” he emphasised.
