Vietnamese honoured with Global Citizen Community Award 2026 in Japan
WVR - On July 5, within the framework of the 18th International Friendship Cultural Exchange Program held at the Higashinari Community Centre (Osaka), Ms. Le Thuong, President of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai, was awarded the Global Citizen Community Award by the International Friendship Promotion Organization of Japan (IHA).
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| Ms. Le Thuong, President of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai, receives the Global Citizen Community Award 2026 from the International Friendship Promotion Organization of Japan (IHA). (Source: Vietnamese Association in Kansai) |
The Award aims to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to cultural exchange activities, community connection, and the promotion of international friendship.
According to the organizers, Ms. Le Thuong is the only foreigner to receive the Award in 2026. This is considered a notable milestone for the Vietnamese community in Japan, recognizing the persistent contributions of Vietnamese people in international cultural exchange activities.
This year's program gathered art troupes from various countries and territories such as Vietnam, Republic of Korea, China, India, African countries, and Japan. It is an annual event organized by IHA with the support of Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City Administration, and the Korean Cultural Centre in Osaka.
The year 2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment and development of IHA, a non-profit organization operating in the field of promoting cultural exchange, enhancing international friendship, and connecting multicultural communities in Japan.
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| Cultural and artistic performances at the program. (Source: Vietnamese Association in Kansai) |
Participating in the program, the Vietnamese delegation presented many artistic performances rich in national identity, performed by the Vietnamese Association in Kansai. These performances contributed to promoting Vietnamese culture to international friends and received enthusiastic support from the audience.
According to the certificate content, Ms. Le Thuong was honoured for her positive contributions to enhancing understanding among nations, promoting international cultural exchange, implementing practical community activities, and building a bridge of cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the fields of culture, education, economy, and human resource development.
As President of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai, she and the Executive Committee have implemented many programs to support the Vietnamese community in Japan, preserve the Vietnamese language and national cultural identity, strengthen relations with Japanese authorities and organizations, thereby promoting people-to-people exchanges and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
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| The 18th International Friendship Cultural Exchange Program held in Osaka with the participation of art troupes and delegates from various countries and territories. (Source: Vietnamese Association in Kansai) |
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Shinjo Takeshi, President of IHA, highly appreciated Ms. Le Thuong's contributions over the years. According to him, her activities have helped strengthen the connection between communities, promote people-to-people exchanges, and spread the spirit of international friendship.
Sharing after receiving the award, Ms. Le Thuong emotionally stated: “This is not only an honour for me personally but also a recognition for the Vietnamese Association in Kansai and the Vietnamese community in Japan. The award will be a source of motivation for us to continue contributing to cultural exchange activities, community connection, and fostering Vietnam-Japan friendship.”
Ms. Le Thuong becoming the only foreigner to receive the Global Citizen Community Award 2026 not only acknowledges her personal contributions but also affirms the increasingly active role of the Vietnamese community in Japan in people-to-people diplomacy, cultural exchange, and international cooperation, contributing to spreading the image of a friendly, dynamic, and integrated Vietnam to friends worldwide.
(Source: Vietnamese Association in Kansai)
