The ceremony held in Ha Noi gathered representatives of Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities, together with a wide range of Japanese organisations and businesses operating in Viet Nam.
Delegates recalled key milestones in bilateral relations, discussed future cooperation orientations and celebrated a relationship entering a new stage of growth.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van praised Ambassador Ito Naoki for initiating the event, describing it as an opportunity to review progress over the past two years and identify priorities for the period ahead.
Thanking the Japanese Ambassador for his active contributions, the Deputy Minister noted that although two years is a short time in the history of Viet Nam - Japan relations, close coordination and strong political will have enabled substantial advances.
Citing remarks by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the recent Viet Nam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Quang Ninh, he highlighted five new features in the relationship: new cooperation mechanisms; the establishment of a new pillar in science, technology and high-quality human resources training; expanded collaboration in digital and green transition; rising Vietnamese investment in Japan; and wider cooperation on global issues.
Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van stressed that the coming period will be a golden window for deepening practical and mutually beneficial ties, grounded in strategic trust and shared aspirations for development.
Viet Nam, he affirmed, regards Japan as a leading and long-term strategic partner and stands ready to strengthen cooperation in traditional areas while expanding into economic security, local linkages, human resources development, digital and green transition, energy and semiconductors.
Ambassador Ito Naoki reviewed major achievements of the past year, including visits by senior leaders, the first Vice Minister level 2+2 Foreign Defence Dialogue, and progress in priority economic sectors such as innovation, semiconductors and major infrastructure projects.
He also noted vibrant exchanges at local and business levels, with Viet Nam maintaining a unique local cooperation mechanism exclusively with Japan. Expressing optimism for 2026, the Ambassador called for continued support from Vietnamese partners as the two nations advance comprehensive cooperation across all fields.
