Vietnam, Japan Boost Ties Through Local Cooperation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, during a reception for Japanese officials in the central city of Hue, affirmed that locality-to-locality cooperation serves as an effective channel for implementing commitments and agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders. He also emphasized its role in strengthening connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. This highlights local cooperation as a distinctive feature of Vietnam-Japan relations. Earlier, the Prime Minister had called for Vietnam-Japan investment ties to evolve into a co-development partnership, with local cooperation being a concrete manifestation of this direction. Vietnam, while continuing its economic growth under a one-party system, places significant importance on its relationship with Japan in building international ties. Cooperation in science, technology, and human resource training is particularly crucial for Vietnam's industrial upgrading and enhancing its international competitiveness. The emphasis on local cooperation suggests the importance of deepening mutual understanding and economic ties at the grassroots level, beyond just the implementation of intergovernmental agreements. This reflects Vietnam's approach to seeking diverse partnerships as it pursues economic development.