Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito reiterated his country’s policy of attaching importance to Vietnam and its people during discussions with Ho Chi Minh City ’s Mayor Le Hoang Quan on Feb. 13.
The visit to Ho Chi Minh City formed part of the Japanese Crown Prince’s trip to Vietnam’s central and southern regions, which also included Hue, Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Tien Giang, from Feb. 11-15.
During the meeting, the Japanese crown prince said that he was happy to see the Vietnam-Japan bilateral relationship expand effectively across many fields to bring practical benefits to the people of both countries.
He also expressed his happiness at seeing more than 3,000 Japanese people in Ho Chi Minh City living comfortable lives, as well as the success enjoyed by 450 Japanese-backed businesses and other Japanese-funded projects.
The Crown Prince said he expected the two countries to take more practical activities to bind the two countries even more closely.
The Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Le Hoang Quan, said he viewed the Crown Prince’s visit to Vietnam as a demonstration of Japan ’s deeper interest in Vietnam.
He spoke of the importance of the establishment of dynamic ties between the two countries’ localities, especially between Ho Chi Minh City and Osaka, Yokohama and Hiogo, which would make important contributions to promoting bilateral trade, tourism and facilitate the sharing of construction and urban management experience.
Whilst in the city, Crown Prince Naruhito visited a Japanese school, where 211 Japanese primary and secondary pupils are enrolled.
He also visited the Vietnam-Japan Centre for Human Resource Training, which was established by the Japanese and Vietnamese governments.
Since it began operations in May, 2002, the centre has successfully trained 9,000 Vietnamese officials and business executives and has taught Japanese to over 40,000 students, as well as organising cultural exchange events.
Previously, on Feb. 11, Crown Prince Naruhito and his entourage visited central Da Nang city and Hoi An ancient town in Quang Nam province.
The Chairman of Da Nang People’s Committee, Tran Van Minh, hosted a banquet in honour of the Japanese Crown Prince and his delegation.
The Chairman of the Quang Nam province People Committee, Le Minh Anh, welcomed the Crown Prince and guided him on a tour around Hoi An town’s ancient quarter. The Crown Prince also visited the Pagoda Bridge , the Hoi An pottery museum and other places of interest.
Hoi An is one of two world cultural heritage sites in Quang Nam province recognised by UNESCO in 1999, its unique ancient town boasting well-preserved architectural and cultural characteristics of Vietnam and southeast Asia. Hoi An was renowned as a famous trading port, where merchants from all over the world, including Japan, plied their trade.
On Feb. 12, Crown Prince Haruhito and his delegation visited the formal feudal capital of Hue. At a meeting in the Thai Hoa Palace ( Hue Royal Palace ), Chairman of Thua Thien-Hue province People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc Thien gave a presentation on Hue, particularly its historical relics.
He thanked the Japanese Royal Family, its Government and people for their fine sentiment and the assistance they have given to Vietnam , particularly Thua Thien-Hue.
A number of Japanese projects have been carried out in the province, including environmental protection projects in Hue city, the construction of the Hue Central Hospital and the construction of the Hai Van tunnel, which made a great contribution to the province’s socio-economic development.
Source: VNA