The embassy and representative Vietnamese agencies as well as the Vietnamese community in Japan should make a greater effort to contribute to implementing joint projects agreed by the two countries’ leaders, said Mr Dung, who began an official visit to Japan on the same day.

The government leader praised them for their positive contributions to strengthening the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership in recent times, especially in politics, economics, trade, investment, official development assistance, tourism, education and culture.

He acknowledged their efforts in evacuating more than 80 Vietnamese nationals stranded in the areas affected by the powerful March earthquake and tsunamis to higher ground, as well as in helping them stabilise their lives.

He briefed them on Vietnam’s major socio-economic development achievements, and said during his visit leaders of the two countries will work out a plan of action to bring the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership to life, and to speed up implementation of key Japanese-funded infrastructure construction projects in Vietnam.

Mr Dung presented the Prime Minister’s certificate of merit to Ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh, recognising his contributions to rescuing and supporting Vietnamese nationals after the earthquake and tsunamis in north-eastern Japan.