Strengthening Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership

The strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan has developed in a deep and practical manner over the years through reciprocal visit exchanges.

Japanese Prime Ministers have visited Vietnam eight times, including Tomiichi Murayama (1994), Ryutaro Hashimoto (1997), Keizo Obuchi (1998), Junichiro Koizumi (2002 and 2005), and Shinzo Abe (2006 and 2013).

After taking office in December 2012, PM Abe phoned his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung twice and selected Vietnam as the first destination for his first overseas visit in January 2013.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe (R) visited Vietnam in January 2013

Meanwhile, Japan welcomed Party General Secretary Do Muoi (1995), Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh (2002 and 2009), State President Nguyen Minh Triet (2007), Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet (1993), Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004), Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012), and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong (2008) and NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (2012).

Economic cooperation is one of the “bright spots” in bilateral relations. Japan is Vietnam’s leading economic partner and the first G7 nation recognising Vietnam’s market economy status (in 2011).

Japan is also Vietnam’s biggest donor of official development assistance (ODA), committing US$2.3 billion in the 2012 fiscal year. It is also Vietnam’s No1 investor in terms of both registered and disbursed capital.

Both countries have signed a number of economic agreements, creating a favourable legal foundation for stronger economic and trade ties. They include the 2004 agreement on investment promotion and protection and the 2009 Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA).

Japan is Vietnam’s third biggest trade partner, with two-way trade last year reaching US$24.7 billion. Bilateral trade exchanges chalked up nearly US$23 billion between January-November 2013, of which Vietnamese exports rose 3.4% to US$12.35 billion, and its imports fell 0.3% to US$10.58 billion.

Both countries have granted the Most-Favoured Nations status to each other since 1999. They have completed the fourth phase of the Vietnam-Japan Initiative to improve the business environment in Vietnam, and are now entering the fifth phase.

Since 1992 Vietnam has sent 31,000 trainees to work in Japan, and approximately 18,000 Vietnamese nationals are currently working in Japan.

Vietnam and Japan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on receiving Vietnamese orderlies and nurses in October 2011 within the framework of the VJEPA.

Japan has developed a number of projects to help Vietnam preserve and upgrade ancient houses in the country’s three regions. It started working on the Thang Long Royal Citadel preservation project in Hanoi in 2004.

A Vietnam-Japan joint committee was established in 2006 to preserve the Citadel relic. Japan has sent renowned archaeologists to conduct surveys and excavate archaeological sites.  

Both countries have made great strides in cultural cooperation through art performances, exhibitions, and film festivals. Since the beginning of 2013 both countries have carried out a host of events celebrating 40 years of diplomatic ties.

Education cooperation has been also strengthened between the two governments, schools, organisations and individuals. Japan is one of the biggest non-refundable aid donor of Vietnam’s education sector.

Vietnam has invited Japanese professors and experts to give lectures at universities, and received Japanese scholars to explore the country’s culture and history.

Japan is one of the countries having the largest number of visitors to Vietnam, making up nearly 10% of the total. Both countries signed a joint statement on tourism cooperation in 2005, aiming to attract Japanese visitors to Vietnam.

During the past 11 months, 553,585 Japanese visited Vietnam, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Japan this time coincides with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The visit is expected to deepen the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership, primarily in economics, trade, investment, and development aid, as well as their coordination at regional and international forum.