Image of Japanese Crown Prince and Princess in Hoi An ancient town

On the evening of September 23, Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Princess Kiko met and paid a courtesy visit to the leaders of Quang Nam province and visited Hoi An Ancient Town (Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province) - a vivid demonstration of the Vietnam - Japan friendship and cooperation from more than 400 years ago.

Students of Hoi An City holding flags of Vietnam and Japan stood on both sides of the road to welcome the presence of Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Princess Kiko.

The Crown Prince and Princess walked along some streets in the old town, visited the model of the Goshuin Ship, the Japanese Covered Bridge relic, and the Japanese cultural exhibition house.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and the Princess also came to watch the tea ceremony performance and took souvenir photos of Japanese costumes...

Mr. Phan Viet Cuong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Quang Nam province, expressed his joy at welcoming the Japanese Crown Prince and Princess to visit Quang Nam.

According to the Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee, after 50 years of officially establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (September 21, 1973 - September 21, 2023), it can be affirmed that the relationship between the two countries has always been developed with many good dynamics and prospects in many fields, maintained by traditional connections, historical and cultural similarities, reinforced by mutually supportive economic structures and nurtured by friendship as well as joint efforts between the governments and people of the two countries.

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Princess Kiko greet school children.

In line with the flow of the good and extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, in recent times, Quang Nam province has proactively and actively promoted cooperation with Japanese partners and localities. The Japanese government , through the Japanese Embassy, ​​the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japanese organizations, has sponsored Quang Nam province to implement many projects with a total accumulated ODA capital of nearly 830 million USD to date.

In terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), Japanese investors have so far invested in 18 projects in Quang Nam province with a total capital of over 139 million USD; mainly in the fields of industry, tourism, and services. Regarding tourism alone, the number of Japanese visitors staying in Quang Nam in 2022 was 5,773, accounting for 1.69% of the total number of international visitors staying in Quang Nam.

Quang Nam Provincial Party Secretary and his wife welcomed Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Princess Kiko for a courtesy visit.

"We are aware that, at every step of Quang Nam province's development as it is today, there is encouragement, sharing, and active support from Japanese partners and localities," said Mr. Phan Viet Cuong. Mr. Cuong believes that the Crown Prince and Princess will continue to pay much attention to promoting the friendly cooperation between the two countries in general, and between Quang Nam province - Vietnam and Japanese partners and localities in particular, to develop further.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Princess Kiko take souvenir photos at the Red Seal Ship model located in Hoi An ancient town.

Japanese Crown Prince Akishino shared that this visit to Vietnam is of special significance, being the first official overseas visit of him and the Princess after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also the first visit to Vietnam by the Japanese Royal Family in 6 years since the visit of the Japanese King and Queen in 2017.

"I am very happy to return to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. This is the first time I have visited Quang Nam province and Hoi An city. However, I have been told a lot about Hoi An as a very interesting city, so I am eager to visit Hoi An ancient town today" - Japanese Crown Prince Akishino expressed.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/chinh-tri/hoang-thai-tu-nhat-ban-va-cong-nuong-tai-pho-co-hoi-an-20230923193344397.htm