VOV: What are the main milestones and achievements of Vietnam-Japan relations over the last 35 years?

Ambassador Binh: It can be said that the two countries’ relationship has never been as good as it is now, particularly in the political field. During PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Japan in 2006, the two sides agreed to establish a strategic partnership, paving the way for the further development of bilateral relations. In 2007, Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet came to Japan in the first state visit to Japan by a Vietnamese head of state.

Japan is now one of Vietnam’s leading partners and the Japanese Government is Vietnam’s biggest bilateral ODA donor, providing Vietnam with preferential loans worth approximately US$1 billion per year. Two-way trade turnover hit US$12 billion last year and it is expected to reach more than US$15 billion by the end of this year.

Japanese investment has proved effective, especially in the hi-tech sector, which has provided jobs for thousands of Vietnamese people.

The two countries also cooperate in education, with 3,000 Vietnamese students studying in Japan, many of them under scholarships from the two governments.

Vietnam also welcomed 420,000 Japanese tourists in 2007.

VOV: Can you tell us about the preparations for the 2008 Vietnam Festival in Japan?

Mr Binh: When President Triet visited Japan in November 2007, both parties signed an agreement on the event, which is in two parts - the first one was the Japanese music festival in Vietnam, already held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

The 2008 Vietnam Festival in Japan will be co-organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan and the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Union of Parliamentarians. Japan’s ministries, sectors and associations have actively participated in the preparations for the event.

Senior Vietnamese and Japanese officials are expected to attend the festival.

Thousands of leaflets have been dispersed over several months to promote the festival. Next week, more than 100 volunteers, mainly Japanese, will distribute leaflets in places such as underground stations.

VOV: What impact will the festival have on bilateral ties?

Mr Binh: I believe the event will be another landmark in the relationship between Vietnam and Japan. This will be the largest festival involving both countries, which is expected to cement bilateral ties in many fields. Cultural relations support economic ties.

The 2008 Vietnam Festival in Japan includes the Vietnam-Japan Economic Cooperation Forum, the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Fair and the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Gala. An estimated 300,000 Japanese are expected to attend the event.