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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Japan) |
How does the Ambassador assess the importance and highlights of local cooperation in the overall Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?
It can be affirmed that cooperation between localities of the two countries is currently one of the most vibrant and effective pillars in the overall Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. If cooperation at the Government level sets out a strategic vision, local cooperation is the channel to implement that vision into reality, through specific cooperation projects and programs related to the lives of people and businesses.
The two governments have always encouraged and strongly supported local cooperation, considering it a sustainable foundation to promote people-to-people exchanges, community connection and mutual development. To date, more than 110 cooperation agreements have been signed between the two countries’ provinces and cities – a number that demonstrates the special level of attachment and trust in bilateral relations.
Two years after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, local cooperation continues to grow strongly in both quality and quantity, maintaining its role as an effective bridge between the governments, businesses and people of the two countries. A highlight is that the areas of cooperation are increasingly diverse and more substantial. In addition to traditional areas such as investment, trade, agriculture and labor, localities of the two countries are actively expanding into new areas of the era such as digital transformation, green economy , renewable energy, smart cities, etc.
In particular, from July 1, Vietnam has reorganized the local administrative system, merging 34 provincial-level administrative units. This is an important step, opening up new development space and driving force for international cooperation. In this process, Japan continues to be one of the top priority partners, not only thanks to its technological potential and sustainable development experience, but also because of the deep political trust between the two countries, creating favorable conditions to promote comprehensive cooperation for the socio-economic development goals of localities, especially in the context of our country entering a new era of development.
I believe that, with strong support from the two governments, local cooperation will continue to be a key driving force, bringing the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to develop more deeply, substantially and comprehensively in the coming time.
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| Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu speaks at a seminar with businesses from Okinawa province. (Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Japan) |
According to the Ambassador, where is the potential for cooperation between Quang Ninh province and Japanese partners and what should the two sides do to turn the potential into development opportunities in the new period?
Quang Ninh is a leading locality in institutional reform, infrastructure development, and attracting high-quality investment. With its location as the gateway to the Northern key economic region, a modern system of seaports, highways, airports, and an open investment environment, the province has become a top attractive destination for Japanese investors.
Japan has experience and superior technology in smart cities, green seaports, renewable energy, infrastructure and human resource training. The potential for cooperation between Quang Ninh and Japan stands out in three areas:
Economy - investment : Industrial parks, seaports, logistics, renewable energy, high-tech industry.
Tourism, services, smart cities : Developing sustainable tourism around Ha Long heritage, in line with Japan's "green" trend.
Human resource training, cultural exchange : The foundation for long-term cooperation.
To turn potential into opportunities, both sides need to move from awareness to practical action: Strengthening strategic connections between the government and businesses, promoting delegation exchanges, promoting key and focal investment; building trust and a common vision towards sustainable development and innovation. The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan is ready to act as a bridge, provide information support, organize forums and accompany businesses.
With Quang Ninh's initiative and Japan's attention, I believe that the province will become a new bright spot on the Vietnam-Japan cooperation map, contributing to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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| Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu speaks with leaders of Oita province. (Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Japan) |
Can the Ambassador give advice and suggestions to Vietnamese localities and businesses wishing to cooperate with Japanese partners?
I always believe that Japan is a special, trustworthy and long-term partner of Vietnam. At the same time, Japan also has its own unique traditional way of doing things. Therefore, when Vietnamese localities or enterprises want to expand cooperation with Japan, the most important thing is to prepare carefully and cooperate seriously and professionally. First of all, I would like to emphasize three factors:
The first is careful preparation and a clear strategy. Localities need to clearly identify their potential, comparative advantages and specific needs before promoting cooperation. Japan is a country that highly values transparency, consistency and long-term planning. Therefore, when localities have clear planning, specific projects and consistent accompanying mechanisms, the ability to attract Japanese partners will be much higher.
The second is to build a trustworthy cooperative environment. The Japanese highly value “trust” and stability. What Japanese businesses seek is not just immediate profits, but a long-term, responsible partner who shares the value of sustainable development. Therefore, building personal relationships, maintaining commitments, creating a transparent and stable environment in terms of policies, reforming administrative procedures and improving management capacity are extremely important.
Third is to focus on the human factor. The success of any cooperation project depends largely on the quality of human resources. Vietnamese localities and enterprises should pay attention to training a team of cadres, engineers and workers with professional manners, discipline and understanding of Japanese culture. It is the human factor with the spirit of learning and receptiveness that will be the bridge connecting and maintaining long-term cooperative relationships.
In addition, I also encourage Vietnamese localities and enterprises to be more proactive and flexible in their approach to Japanese partners, not just waiting for Japanese delegations to come to learn, but should proactively organize promotional trips, attend fairs and investment forums as well as take advantage of the supporting role of the Embassies and representative agencies of the two countries to connect more effectively.
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| Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko and the Ambassador and Embassy staff. (Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Japan) |
Cultural and people-to-people cooperation has always been one of the important pillars and a bridge of friendship between Vietnam and Japan. According to the Ambassador, how should localities take advantage of this bridge of friendship to promote the identity and connect people between the two countries?
International cooperation is a relationship between people and people. Cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange are not only a “soft bridge” but also the most sustainable foundation to nurture friendship, understanding and mutual trust between the people of the two countries. In the context of the Vietnam-Japan relationship being upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the role of localities in exploiting this bridge becomes even more important, because culture not only promotes identity but also creates momentum for long-term socio-economic cooperation. In my opinion, Vietnamese localities need to take advantage of this friendship bridge in a strategic, creative and focused way through three main directions:
Organize diverse cultural events, incorporating local characteristics : Traditional festivals, exhibitions, Vietnamese cultural weeks in Japan (and vice versa), combining heritage with modern elements (cuisine, music, fashion). Coordinate with friendship associations and the Vietnamese community in Japan to organize annual events, creating a ripple effect.
Quang Ninh is a leading province in cultural cooperation with Japan; actively coordinates with Hokkaido province of Japan to organize the annual Vietnam Festival in Hokkaido and the Hokkaido Festival in Quang Ninh; enhances people-to-people exchange and tourism cooperation with Japanese localities.
Promote people-to-people exchanges : Exchange of youth, students, and artists through scholarships, JICA volunteers, and school cooperation. Practical experiences help the younger generation understand Japanese “Omotenashi” and Vietnamese “hospitality”, becoming natural “cultural ambassadors”.
Connecting culture with sustainable economy and tourism : Developing craft village tours combining Japanese technology, heritage conservation projects associated with green economy, thereby promoting identity, creating economic value, attracting Japanese tourists and investors.
The Embassy is ready to support connecting Japanese cultural organizations and associations, organizing events and providing information on exchange trends. When localities turn culture into a “living bridge”, we will connect people and elevate the Vietnam-Japan relationship towards a sustainable friendship for many generations.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/diem-sang-tren-ban-do-hop-tac-viet-nam-nhat-ban-335453.html
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