NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage on March 20 left the Kyoto Imperial Palace, concluding their official visit to Japan at the invitation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Witnessing with their own eyes the development of Japan, all members of the delegation shared the same view that Japan is a modern and civilised country and that its people are considerate, enthusiastic and hospitable.

In reply to a Voice of Vietnam Radio reporter’s question about the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, Mrs Atoshi, a Tokyo citizen said, “ As far as I know Vietnam is a nation whose people have been very courageous in the past struggle for national defence as well as in the present Doi Moi (Renewal) process. Japan-Vietnam relations continue to develop well, especially in economics and trade as more and more Japanese investors are considering Vietnam a destination for long-term investment.”

Over recent years, Vietnam and Japan have made substantial progress in developing their relationship into a strategic partnership for peace and stability in Asia.

This year, the two countries focus on practical activities such as launching Japan’s Cultural Week in Vietnam and Vietnam’s Cultural Week in Japan to celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. Through the exchange of high-ranking visits on the occasion, the two countries will have more opportunities to get a better mutual understanding of each other and foster their time-honoured relationship.

Following Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and State President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visits to Japan later last year, the NA Chairman’s visit to Japan affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to developing cooperative relations with Japan.

Many Japanese businesses are keen to invest in the Vietnamese market. Japan is currently considered to be Vietnam’s the fourth largest investor with its import-export turnover reaching more than US$12 billion last year. Japan continues to provide Vietnam with a large amount of ODA which is being used effectively.

The Vietnam-Japan business forum held in Tokyo and the business trade seminar held in Osaka offered good opportunities for businesses from both countries to explore each other’s cooperative areas and potential.

At these forums, Japanese businesses signed a number of projects with their Vietnamese counterparts, showing a great confidence in Vietnam, Nguyet Huong, Chairwoman and General Director of the Vietnam Investment and Development Group said. “ Hitachi group’s decision to invest in Vietnam and Sumitomo group continued investment in the country are proud of their trust in the Vietnamese investment environment. They both consider Vietnam a suitable destination for investment because Vietnam has actively improved its investment environment to attract more foreign investment, particularly from Japan.”

The two countries’ members of parliament had open and frank talks in which they shared valuable experience in making decisions on a number of important national issues.

Japanese leaders once again expressed their regret over the collapse of Can Tho bridge spans and affirmed that the Japanese Government will continue to work with Vietnam on this issue.

A delegation from the Japanese House of Councillors has been sent to Vietnam to investigate the root cause of the incident.

Regarding the results of the Vietnamese NA delegation’s visit to Japan, Vu Van Hien General Director of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) who is also a member of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentary Association said, “During the visit, the Vietnamese NA delegation learnt many things about Japan’s parliamentary operation and political system. Through the exchanges, every member of the Vietnamese delegation has drawn their own experience. As for representatives of 70 Vietnamese businesses, the visit provided good opportunities for them to learn more about the Japanese market in order to make their trade relations with Japanese partners more effective. It also helped to promote the mutual understanding and relationship between the two parliaments, states and people.