Addressing the banquet, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said both countries have gone a long way to build their cooperative friendship and trust on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. He added Vietnam and Japan are not only extensive strategic partners but also sincere friends. He expressed his belief that bilateral cooperation will enter a new period of development, becoming more efficient and practical.

On this occasion, President Tran Dai Quang conferred the Friendship Order on several Japanese individuals, who have made great contributions to the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation.