MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung meets Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, Chairman of the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance (Photo: TITC)

At the meeting with the Japanese delegation, Minister Nguyen Van Hung stressed, the visit holds a deep meaning for the both countries on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Vietnam, thereby create a driving force to promote cooperation in culture, sports and tourism exchange.

Overview of the meeting (Sapo) (Photo: TITC)

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung affirmed, for the past 50 years, many efforts have been made to tighten up the relationship of Vietnam - Japan, in which, cultural, sports and tourism cooperation activities are increasingly prospered and developed.

Regarding cultural activities, the two countries have organised many exchange activities, notably Vietnam Culture Week in Japan and Japanese Culture Week in Vietnam, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of the people of the two countries, thereby enhancing cultural understanding and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung speaking at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Regarding the tourism field, after the diedown of Covid-19, Vietnam and Japan immediately started promoting tourism, increasing the number of exchange visitors. For the first 4 months of 2023, the number of Japanese visitors to Vietnam reached about 160,000 arrivals; Vietnamese to Japan reached about 170,000 visitor arrivals. Minister Nguyen Van Hung hopes that with an open policy to facilitate tourists, the number of exchange visitors between the two sides will continue to grow.

Mr. Nikai Toshihiro at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Regarding the sports field, Minister Nguyen Van Hung showed his appreciation towards the support of Japan in the training, and improving professional qualifications for coaches, athletes... in many sports. Vietnam hopes to receive the same support in the future to develop, improve and enhance high performance in sports.

In the mean of international relations, in 2025, Japan will hold the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Vietnam will actively participate in this event, affirmed MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung. On the occasion of inaugural flight between Vietnam - Wakayama, Minister Nguyen Van Hung suggested Wakayama Province to sign a cooperation agreement with Vietnam and jointly participate in the programme "International exchange EXPO 2025". This is a great opportunity to promote the image of the country, people, culture, and gradually attract visitors and investors between both countries.

Leaders of both sides exchanging souvenirs (Photo: TITC)

A high hope has been raised that under the great lead of Governments of the two countries and his attentive mission as a bridge of Mr. Nikai Toshihiro and the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, Vietnam - Japan culture, sports and tourism cooperation will have more activities as well as extra efforts to maintain and improve the quality of existing activities.

Showing his gratitude to be back to Vietnam after 3 years, Mr. Nikai Toshihiro affirmed that the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance will uphold its mission as a bridge to deepen and develop the cooperation in culture, sports and tourism between Vietnam - Japan.

Photo: TITC

To strengthen the good diplomatic relations between the two countries, Mr. Nikai Toshihiro suggested that Vietnam and Japan organise more cultural and people-to-people exchange activities, especially among the young generation. Especially the tourism cooperation between the two countries. Vietnam and Japan will have many tourism promotion activities, increasing the number of exchange visitors between the two sides, contributing to promoting the growing tourism industry of the two countries in the upcoming time.

Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Vietjet Air (Vietnam) and Wakayama Prefecture (Japan) (Photo: TITC)

On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Vietjet Air (Vietnam) and Wakayama Prefecture (Japan) on the operation of charter flights between Vietnam and Nanki - Shirahama Airport.

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