Vietnam and Japan to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership, aiming for peace, stability, and mutual prosperity.
Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his spouse are gearing up for an official visit to Vietnam from April 27 to 29, with the purpose of deepening the friendship between the two nations and fortifying the foundation for the sustainable growth of their relationship.
The visit, at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Phạm Minh Chính, marks a significant milestone, marking Shigeru's first trip to Vietnam since assuming office, and the first by a Japanese government leader since the two countries raised their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World in November 2023. This elevation underscores the importance Japan attaches to Vietnam's growing influence and stature in the region.
Solid Foundations of Political Trust
Established in 1973, Vietnam and Japan have cultivated a diverse and dynamic relationship that reflects Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateral diplomacy. Over the years, the bilateral relationship has evolved from a "Reliable, Long-term Stable Partnership" in 2002 to a "Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia" in 2009, and then to an "Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia" in 2014. The most recent upgrade in November 2023 signifies the maturity and depth of their political trust.
Through regular high-level meetings, continuous dialogue mechanisms, and burgeoning legislative ties, both nations have supported the implementation of agreements, reinforced government initiatives, and fostered people-to-people diplomacy. The Việt Nam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Japan-Việt Nam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance have played crucial roles in fostering substantial cooperation among lawmakers and localities. Globally, Vietnam and Japan have sustained close and effective coordination, making significant contributions to regional stability and development.
Valuable Partnership across Industry, Education, and Labor
Japan ranks as Vietnam's largest bilateral provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA), tops the list in labor cooperation, stands third among foreign investors, and ranks fourth in trade and tourism. The total bilateral trade reached US$47.6 billion in 2022, with the Việt Nam-Japan relation predicted to grow further. Key exports from Vietnam to Japan include seafood, apparel, footwear, and plastic products, while Japan exports machinery, electronics, auto components, chemicals, and steel. As of March 2025, Japan ranked as the third-largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with 5,557 valid projects worth over $78.6 billion.
On the cultural, educational, and healthcare fronts, cooperation flourishes, as Japan has been a significant supporter of Vietnam's education sector through ODA projects and cooperation agreements. Over 51,000 Vietnamese students currently study in Japan, while Japan aids the upgrade of four Vietnamese universities to meet international standards. The Việt Nam-Japan University, established in Hà Nội's Hòa Lạc Hi-Tech Park in October 2014, trains quality manpower in science, technology, management, and services.
our websiteese Ambassador to Japan Phạm Quang Hiệu said the visit will focus on strengthening Việt Nam-Japan cooperation in strategic areas, including institutional reform, infrastructure development, and human resource training. - VNA/VNS Photo
Cultural events like the Việt Nam Festival in Japan, the Japan Festival in Vietnam, and the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival have become cherished annual traditions, strengthening the bond between the two nations. Additionally, agreements facilitate Vietnamese nurses, caregivers, technical interns, and specified skilled workers in Japan, with over 310,000 Vietnamese workers employed in the country, making Vietnam the leading source of guest workers there among 15 nations.
Collaboration between localities is vibrant, with over 110 cooperation agreements signed between Vietnamese and Japanese localities. Notable arrangements include those between HCM City with Osaka (2007) and Nagano (2017), Hà Nội with Fukuoka (2008) and Tokyo (2013), Đà Nẵng with Sakai (2009) and Yokohama (2013), and others across provinces like Phú Thọ, Huế, Quảng Nam, Hưng Yên, and Ha
- The upcoming visit of Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to Vietnam, slated from April 27 to 29, aims to strengthen the friendship and establish a solid foundation for the sustainable growth of the Vietnam-Japan relationship.
- The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World, established between Vietnam and Japan in 2023, signifies the importance Japan attaches to Vietnam's growing influence and stature in the region.
- Over the years, the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Japan has evolved and matured, moving from a Reliable, Long-term Stable Partnership in 2002 to an Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia in 2014.
- Regular high-level meetings, continuous dialogue mechanisms, and burgeoning legislative ties have supported the implementation of agreements and reinforced government initiatives between Vietnam and Japan.
- Vietnam and Japan have sustained close and effective coordination globally, contributing significantly to regional stability and development.
- Japan ranks as Vietnam's largest bilateral provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and comes third in foreign investment.
- Key exports from Vietnam to Japan include seafood, apparel, footwear, and plastic products, while Japan exports machinery, electronics, auto components, chemicals, and steel.
- As of March 2025, Japan ranks as the third-largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with 5,557 valid projects worth over $78.6 billion.
- On the cultural, educational, and healthcare fronts, cooperation flourishes between Vietnam and Japan, with over 51,000 Vietnamese students currently studying in Japan.
- The visit of Vietnam's Ambassador to Japan, Phạm Quang Hiệu, will focus on strengthening cooperation in strategic areas, including institutional reform, infrastructure development, and human resource training.
- Cultural events, like the Việt Nam Festival in Japan and the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival in Vietnam, have become cherished annual traditions, further strengthening the bond between the two nations, with over 310,000 Vietnamese workers employed in Japan as of 2025, making Vietnam the leading source of guest workers there among 15 nations.
