An article in the Mainichi newspaper said PM Chinh is the first foreign leader invited to Japan by the administration of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. The article said that the visit aims to expand bilateral economic cooperation and security cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Japan saw a positive development when former PM Suga Yoshihide chose Vietnam for his first foreign trip last October and when Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held talks with PM Chinh during the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in the UK.

The Nikkei newspaper said the two leaders will discuss strengthening cooperation in COVID-19 response and called Vietnam an important partner with common strategic interests.