Elevating Vietnam-Japan local cooperation: A convergence of favourable conditions
WVR - Within the comprehensive Vietnam-Japan relationship, local cooperation continues to expand, developing effectively and substantively; becoming a practical channel to enhance cooperation in political, economic, investment, trade, tourism, and labour sectors, while also strengthening the foundation of friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
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| General Secretary To Lam meets with Ms. Obuchi Yuko, Member of the Japanese House of Representatives, Chairwoman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance on August 7. (Source: VNA) |
A practical and effective cooperation channel
Japan is currently one of Vietnam's leading economic partners: It leads in ODA and labor cooperation, ranks third in investment and tourism, and fourth in trade. Nearly two years after upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the world, the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation continue to develop robustly, substantively, and comprehensively across all fields, grounded in political trust, longstanding people-to-people exchanges, and complementary strengths. Both sides have agreed to establish a new pillar of cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, aiming for sustainable development.
It can be affirmed that the Vietnam-Japan relationship is a successful model of bilateral cooperation, built on over 50 years of political trust, cultural similarities, and historical ties.
Within this overall framework, Vietnam-Japan local cooperation continues to expand, developing effectively and substantively; becoming an important, practical cooperation pillar to enhance collaboration in political, economic, investment, trade, tourism, and labour sectors, while also strengthening the foundation of friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
I believe that Vietnam-Japan local cooperation is in a state of “favourable conditions”, because:
Firstly, in terms of scale, more than 110 cooperation agreements have been signed between localities of the two countries, creating a widespread network of connections, exemplified by partnerships such as Ho Chi Minh City with Osaka, Hanoi with Fukuoka, Quang Ninh with Hokkaido, Tottori and Da Nang with Sakai, Yokohama, etc. Currently, over 2,500 Japanese enterprises are operating across various provinces and cities in Vietnam. Local cooperation is developing evenly across fields, with a focus on trade and investment, high-quality agriculture, human resources, science and technology, innovation, and climate change. The Japanese business community in Vietnam has been established over a long period, “rooted” in many regions of Vietnam, continuing to expand and tending to have a long-term attachment to the 100-million-strong market.
Secondly, cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese localities always receives support, assistance, and favorable conditions from both governments. With the desire to expand Vietnam-Japan cooperation, leaders of both countries have repeatedly proposed that cooperation between localities should not only be limited to traditional fields but also expand into new areas.
The establishment of a Local Cooperation Forum mechanism between the two countries was emphasized in the Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam-Japan relations on November 27, 2023. At the meeting on April 28, 2025, the Prime Ministers of both countries agreed to actively coordinate the organization of the Vietnam-Japan Local Forum by the end of 2025. The Vietnamese government hopes that Japanese enterprises will not only invest financially but also share experiences and transfer technology in the fields of green transition, circular economy, and corporate governance.
Thirdly, the “favourable conditions” are also reflected in the aspect that domestically, the arrangement and organization of the two-tier government model starting from July 1, 2025, has created a significant shift in local governance and development models. The decentralization and delegation of power continue to be strongly and substantively implemented by central ministries, sectors, and localities, contributing to facilitating localities in promoting foreign affairs and international cooperation to promote potential, strengths, and attract external resources for socio-economic development, with Japan being a particularly targeted partner.
Fourthly, the bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements that both sides participate in, especially the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA); ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP); Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are becoming driving forces to boost economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, and businesses from both countries will benefit from these free trade agreements.
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| President Luong Cuong meets with Mr. Nakasone Yasutaka, Member of the House of Representatives, Head of the Youth Division of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP), along with a delegation of 60 members including parliamentarians, local legislators, private sector representatives, and students visiting Vietnam from August 20-22. (Source: People's Army) |
"Accompanying development - Creating a sustainable future"
The Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Quang Ninh Province, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, serves as a response to long-held expectations, demonstrating the determination to elevate local connections between the two sides. The forum is the first local-level dialogue and connection mechanism between the two countries, focusing on promoting practical and effective cooperation in traditional areas, aiming towards new fields where both sides have strengths and needs.
With the theme "Accompanying Development - Creating a Sustainable Future", the Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum is a comprehensive connection activity, combining various contents on economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people exchanges with specific orientations:
Summarizing and evaluating the results of Vietnam-Japan local cooperation in recent times: Through keynote speeches by senior leaders, discussions, and evaluations of the effectiveness of local cooperation between the two countries in various fields, signed cooperation agreements; sharing exemplary cooperation models, experiences in implementing cooperation, difficulties, limitations, and causes.
Discussing specific contents to promote local cooperation between the two countries by field: Exchanging and discussing through thematic sessions on cooperation in areas prioritized by both countries such as economy, trade, investment, labour, high technology, cultural cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, focusing on the requirements in the context of Vietnamese localities officially operating the two-tier government model.
Building orientations for Vietnam-Japan local cooperation in the new development phase: Proposing orientations to promote Vietnam-Japan local cooperation in the coming time with specific fields and implementation measures, based on the actual needs of the localities of the two countries and feasibility in implementation.
Promoting culture and introducing distinctive products of the two countries: The Vietnam-Japan Local Exhibition is organized within the framework of the Forum with cultural exchange activities and booths displaying distinctive products of the localities of the two countries; creating a space for localities, organizations, and businesses of the two countries to promote their image and introduce their potentials and strengths, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and connection.
Strengthening local and business connections between the two countries through bilateral meetings: Localities and businesses of the two countries directly connect and exchange specific cooperation needs through bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Forum.
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| Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu meets with Mr. Nishimura Teiichi, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in the Kansai region on November 5. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
A trustworthy companion
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accompany every effort to elevate Vietnam-Japan local cooperation. Fully aware that local diplomacy is one of the important components of foreign affairs, in the past and in the future - the new era of the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs always identifies local foreign affairs as a central task, "taking localities as the center of service", with the highest spirit of service, dedication, and responsibility.
Standing shoulder to shoulder as a "trustworthy companion" across the S-shaped land, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has effectively supported localities in building and implementing foreign affairs programs and plans, gradually realizing the aspiration to enhance international integration and cooperation, practically contributing to the socio-economic development process of localities.
With the spirit of companionship, support, and coordination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is delighted when investment - trade, tourism promotion conferences with foreign partners, including Japan, "bloom" in many localities. FDI is present in all provinces and cities nationwide. Non-governmental foreign aid significantly contributes to poverty alleviation and socio-economic development in Vietnamese localities… The vibrant piece of local foreign affairs harmoniously integrates into the national foreign affairs flow.
I believe that, with meticulous preparation and great expectations from both sides, organized in Quang Ninh - a dynamic coastal region, one of the pioneering localities of the country in the international integration process, the Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum will be a great success, becoming a reliable destination, fostering the cooperative aspirations of the localities of the two countries, embellishing the bright picture of the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World" between Vietnam and Japan.
