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Japanese Ambassador Yamada Takio speaking at the event

The event was attended by Deputy Defense Minister Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh, former Deputy Chiefs of the General Staff Sr. Lt. Gen. Vo Van Tuan and Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh, leaders and former leaders of agencies of the Ministry of National Defense, staff of the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi, Japanese Defense Attaché Office in Hanoi, and Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh’s families. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio recalled Gen. Vinh’s important contribution to strengthening and developing the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in general and the bilateral defense cooperation in particular when he was Deputy Defense Minister in charge of defense relations. The Japanese diplomat affirmed that thanks to the important contribution of Gen. Vinh, defense cooperation between Japan and Vietnam has strongly developed and obtained positive results.

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Japanese Ambassador Yamada Takio handing over the order to Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh

Speaking at the event, Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh expressed the honor to receive the noble reward of the Japanese Government and emphasized the significance of this ceremony which was held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam - Japan diplomatic ties. The former deputy defense minister thanked the Japanese Government for the noble reward and Ambassador Yamada Takio personally, staff of the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi, and other delegates for their presence at the event. 

Expressing his delight at the strong and comprehensive development of Vietnam - Japan relationship, Gen. Vinh said that on the basis of the good development of the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, defense cooperation between the two countries proves to be one of the important pillars and continues to achieve solid progresses with increasingly expanding and practical cooperation contents.

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Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh presents flowers to Gen. Vinh.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh congratulated Gen. Vinh on being presented with the order. He emphasized that with his will, brainpower, enthusiasm, and experience, Gen. Vinh, in his post as deputy defense minister in charge of external relations, made contribution to strengthening the defense cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. He affirmed that the Japanese Government's presentation of the Order of the Rising Sun and Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon was a recognition of Gen. Vinh’s dedication to the Vietnam - Japan cooperative relations in defense field, helping deepening the bilateral relationship. 

“This is not only the honor of Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, but also the joy of troops of the Vietnam People’s Army,” said Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh.

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Delegates, Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, and his family in a joint photo

He expressed strong belief that with positive results obtained by the two governments and two peoples over the past time, the Vietnam - Japan relationship in general and the bilateral defense ties in particular will continue to comprehensively develop for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. 

Translated by Tran Hoai