Since Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973, bilateral ties have grown steadily and are now at their highest point.

Reliable partners in multiple fields

Over the past 50 years, the Vietnam-Japan relationship has grown steadily, especially since it was upgraded to an Extensive Strategic Partnership in 2014. The two countries have strengthened exchanges at all levels, with high-level exchanges increasing significantly in the last 6 years. The Japanese Emperor and Empress, who are now Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, paid an historic visit to Vietnam in 2017. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide visited Vietnam as his first overseas trip after taking office in 2020. In November 2021 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Japan. In February Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio had a phone conversation, followed by a visit to Vietnam by Crown Prince Akishino and the Japanese Princess in September.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said: “This year, Japan and Vietnam celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. Relations between the two countries are now at their best with an unprecedentedly strong connection in all fields.”

The highlight of Vietnam-Japan relations is economic cooperation. For many years, Japan has been Vietnam’s leading investment and Official Development Assistance (ODA) partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly 50 billion USD last year. For 6 consecutive years, Vietnam has been the second most popular destination for Japanese firms to expand their business.

Ozawa Kenichi, General Director of the Tamagawa Vietnam Project, said: “We chose Song Khoai Industrial Park in Quang Ninh province to implement our project in Vietnam. In the future, we will continue to prioritize technological innovation. We greatly appreciate the long-term relationship and cooperation with Quang Ninh province and look forward to continued support from the local government.”

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung praised the role of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam.

Dung said: “Japanese businesses will make increasingly important contributions to Vietnam's socio-economic development in the future. They highly appreciate Vietnam's policies, its openness, convenience, attractiveness, and especially the stability of the regime. And the support of authorities at all levels gives Japanese businesses greater confidence.”

New period of cooperation

President Vo Van Thuong’s official visit to Japan is an important highlight of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and will open a new period in the bilateral relationship. The visit strengthens existing cooperative relations and also opens up cooperation in new areas of mutual interest, including climate change response, green transition, and digital transformation.

Ambassador Yamada Takio said President Thuong’s visit delivers the message that cooperation between Japan and Vietnam is not just a bilateral relationship but also a relationship that can contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world. 

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said: “In the coming time, the relationship between the two countries will not only be on the bilateral scale but will expand at the regional and global level. As the two countries are members of many important international forums, their coordination at these forums will be enhanced, contributing to building an environment of peace, stability, and cooperation for common prosperity in the region and the world.”

The Vietnam-Japan relationship is at its best, with a strengthened Extensive Strategic Partnership based on sincerity and trust for peace, cooperation, and development. President Thuong’s visit will contribute to further consolidating political trust and promoting the effective implementation of cooperation between the two countries in the next stage.