Connecting Hue-Japan: From foundations for cooperation to substantial projects
WVR - On the afternoon of September 6, the People's Committee of Hue City organized the Hue - Japan Connection Conference 2026, with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan attending and delivering the opening speech.
Latest
 |
| Chairman of the People's Committee of Hue City Le Tri Thanh and Ambassador of Vietnam to Japan Pham Quang Hieu co-chaired the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The conference was co-chaired by Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hue City Le Tri Thanh, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu.
Attending the conference were Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Mori Takero; representatives from JICA, JETRO, the Japanese Business Association in Vietnam; representatives from various localities, Japanese enterprises, along with leaders of departments, sectors, and localities of Hue City.
Four key focus areas to elevate Hue - Japan cooperation
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan emphasised that with their direct role in connecting businesses, implementing projects, and developing human resources, localities are crucial channels for transforming the Vietnam - Japan cooperation framework into substantial results, creating new momentum for the bilateral relationship. Hue is a successful example of local connection and cooperation with Japan.
 |
| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan delivering the opening speech at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
To deepen Hue - Japan cooperation, the Deputy Minister proposed four key focus areas.
First, enhance cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation to serve the goal of building Hue into a green, smart, and sustainable heritage city.
Second, make healthcare cooperation and the development of healthcare human resources a crucial area, focusing on training doctors, nurses, healthcare workers; applying digital technology in medical examination, treatment, and elderly care; while expanding research and professional exchanges.
Third, strengthen cooperation in preserving and promoting heritage values, turning heritage into a resource for sustainable development. Both sides can promote heritage digitization, apply technology in conservation, and develop cultural tourism and creative industries.
Fourth, boost economic, trade, and investment connections, especially in processing, manufacturing, logistics, and port infrastructure; enhance trade promotion, investment, and business connectivity activities.
The Deputy Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to coordinate with ministries, sectors, Hue City, the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, the Japanese Consulate General in Da Nang, and partners to promote cooperation. He expressed confidence that joint efforts will lead Hue - Japan relations into a new phase of substantial, effective, and sustainable development.
 |
| Chairman of the People's Committee of Hue City Le Tri Thanh speaking at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Technology, innovation, and green development as core focus
Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hue City Le Tri Thanh affirmed that Japan is one of Hue's important partners in socio-economic development and international integration. The cooperation relationship between the two sides has been nurtured over the years in areas such as environment, disaster prevention, heritage conservation, education, healthcare, transportation, tourism, and cultural exchange.
According to the Chairman, these foundations set the stage for Hue - Japan relations to enter a new, deeper, and more effective phase. Hue identifies heritage - culture as the foundation, while science - technology, innovation, digital transformation, green economy, and sustainable development are the driving forces.
The city aims to expand cooperation with Japan in investment, trade, and enterprise development; prioritizing modern technology projects, clean technology, high value-added, and those capable of participating in production and supply chains.
 |
| Overview of the conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Hue also places special emphasis on cooperation in science - technology, digital transformation, smart cities, AI, smart tourism, heritage digitization, healthcare, and education; while enhancing connections between Hue University and Japanese universities, research institutes, and enterprises, expanding Japanese language training, vocational training, and high-quality human resource development.
At the conference, discussions were open and directly addressed issues of interest to Japanese businesses. Delegates raised questions about the potential for introducing Hue's local specialties into the AEON Mall system; development directions in economic zones, industrial parks; Japanese language training in Hue; organizing Hue culinary promotion programs in Japan to develop culinary tourism; as well as mechanisms and policies for charter flights between Hue and Japan...
Representatives from relevant departments and sectors directly exchanged and addressed issues within their management scope. Chairman of the People's Committee of Hue City Le Tri Thanh also clarified the city's orientations and policies.
After the conference, city agencies and units will continue to review and summarize the exchanged content; proactively connect with Japanese partners, and specifically study feasible proposals to turn them into programs, plans, and cooperation projects.
 |
| Delegates taking a group photo. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
