This is the first visit to Japan by a Vietnamese General Secretary and President, and the first visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam in 11 years. It underscores Viet Nam’s regard for Japan as one of its foremost and enduring comprehensive strategic partners. The visit also advances Viet Nam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of external relations, while linking international integration with the country’s development goals.
    |
 |
|
(Photo for illustration: chinhphu.vn) |
The visit follows Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s official visit to Viet Nam in May. Reciprocal visits by the two countries’ top leaders in the same year carry special significance as both Viet Nam and Japan pursue new development objectives. Viet Nam is accelerating industrialization and modernization, working toward its two centenary development goals in 2030 and 2045. Japan is also promoting new growth drivers, linking economic development with science and technology, strengthening national power, and restoring its leading position in key economic and technological fields.
General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit comes as Viet Nam-Japan relations continue to develop comprehensively, substantively and effectively across Party, government, parliamentary and people-to-people channels, as well as cooperation among ministries, sectors and localities and in all fields. Political trust has continued to deepen, with the two sides sharing an expanding range of common strategic interests.
Relations between the two countries are nurtured every day through close ties between localities and their people. The nearly 700,000 Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Japan are increasingly serving as an important bridge between the two nations. Among them, intellectuals, engineers, businesspeople and students can directly contribute to innovation initiatives and high-quality human resource training. Opportunities for the Vietnamese community to study, work and advance their careers are therefore also a practical measure of the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation.
Building on the sound political trust nurtured by generations of leaders, the long-term commitment of businesses and close people-to-people ties, Japan has accompanied Viet Nam in infrastructure development, industrial growth and human resource training. Today, these achievements are making increasingly positive contributions to the socio-economic development of both countries. Cooperation is thus becoming more reciprocal, with interests and development prospects more closely intertwined.
With the positive achievements in bilateral relations, the visit by General Secretary and President To Lam is expected to generate a strong breakthrough, maximizing the strengths of both countries in the fields of economy, finance, science and technology, innovation, supply chain diversification, and defense and security cooperation. In particular, the visit is expected to provide fresh impetus to cooperation in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, with prospects for connecting businesses, universities and research institutes to implement joint research programs, technology transfer and engineer training. These efforts will further deepen the foundation of friendship and multifaceted cooperation, from leaders to people, and translate high-level commitments into substantive collaboration.
Amidst an increasingly complex security environment, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world between Viet Nam and Japan is further strengthened by the two countries’ ability to contribute jointly to regional peace and stability. Enhanced defense and security cooperation, as well as coordination within ASEAN-led mechanisms, will enable both countries to advance their shared interests. Viet Nam and Japan uphold international law, advocate the peaceful settlement of disputes and promote the rule of law. These principles provide a foundation for further strengthening bilateral trust and contributing to a peaceful and stable environment conducive to development.
The visit by the General Secretary and President is expected to elevate Viet Nam-Japan relations by setting strategic directions that expand cooperation and development opportunities across all fields. It will help the two countries move forward as partners that jointly create opportunities for development, pursue mutual benefits, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world.
Translated by Quynh Oanh