Hanoi, April 28, 2025 — The Europe Today: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính hosted an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace for Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his spouse, who are undertaking an official visit to Vietnam from April 27 to 29.
This visit marks Prime Minister Ishiba’s first trip to Vietnam since assuming office, and the first by a Japanese Prime Minister since the two countries elevated their relationship to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World” in November 2023.
Demonstrating the deep respect and enduring friendship between the two nations, Prime Minister Chính and his spouse personally greeted Prime Minister Ishiba and his spouse at their vehicle. Following a warm handshake, Hanoi’s children presented the distinguished guests with bouquets of flowers, symbolizing the hospitality of the Vietnamese people.
The welcome ceremony was conducted with the highest state protocol. National anthems of both countries were performed as the two leaders solemnly saluted their national flags, before Prime Minister Chính invited his Japanese counterpart to review the Guard of Honour of the Vietnam People’s Army.
Following the ceremony, the two leaders visited a photo exhibition showcasing the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. They subsequently proceeded to the Government Office for bilateral talks. During his visit, Prime Minister Ishiba is scheduled to participate in public diplomacy activities, attend the Forum on High Technology, Green Transition, and Semiconductors, and hold meetings with other senior Vietnamese leaders.
Over the past 52 years, Vietnam and Japan have cultivated a robust and comprehensive relationship built on political trust, frequent high-level exchanges, and close coordination at regional and international forums. This dynamic partnership exemplifies Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, diversification, and multilateralisation.
Economic and trade cooperation remain a cornerstone of bilateral ties. Japan is currently Vietnam’s largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and labour cooperation partner, the third-largest investor, and the fourth-largest partner in trade and tourism. In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$46.2 billion, while Japan’s accumulated investment in Vietnam exceeded US$78.6 billion across 5,557 projects. Vietnam, for its part, has invested in 126 projects in Japan valued at over US$20.6 million.
Japanese ODA has made a significant contribution to Vietnam’s development through key infrastructure projects, including the Nhật Tân Bridge, the Nội Bài International Airport Terminal T2, and Hồ Chí Minh City’s Metro Line 1. In total, Japan has provided approximately ¥2.55 trillion (over US$23 billion) in development assistance to Vietnam.
Beyond economic ties, the two countries enjoy vibrant cooperation in education, culture, healthcare, and local partnerships. Vietnam was the first country to introduce Japanese language instruction at primary and secondary education levels. Today, more than 51,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Japan. Cultural exchange programs, including the Vietnam Festival in Japan and Japanese festivals in Vietnam, continue to deepen mutual understanding and foster closer ties between their peoples.
Labour cooperation has also flourished, with Vietnam leading among 15 countries in sending workers to Japan, with around 310,000 Vietnamese currently working there. Moreover, the Vietnamese community in Japan has grown to over 600,000 people, making it the second-largest overseas Vietnamese population worldwide.
Looking ahead, both sides aim to further broaden economic collaboration, improve the investment climate, strengthen supply chains, and enhance market access for agricultural products, such as Vietnamese pomelos and Japanese grapes. Opportunities are also being explored for other fruits, including Việt Nam’s passion fruit and Japan’s peaches.
New areas of cooperation are emerging, particularly in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and new energy. The two leaders are expected to discuss enhanced collaboration on climate change adaptation, environmental protection, disaster management, and emission reduction initiatives.
Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit is seen as a significant step towards reinforcing the political, economic, and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and Japan. It lays a strong foundation for the continued development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and reflects both countries’ steadfast commitment to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.
