Attending the ceremony were: former President Truong Tan Sang, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai.
On the Japanese side, there were Mr. Yamada Takio - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam; Mr. Tsutomu Takabe, former Member of the House of Representatives, Head of the Honorary Committee of the 9th Vietnam - Japan Festival Organizing Committee, Advisor to the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Alliance; Ms. Hashimoto Seiko, Member of the House of Representatives, Head of the Organizing Committee of the 9th Vietnam - Japan Festival.
Delegates attending the opening ceremony "holding hands together" (photo: thanhuytphcm.vn)
Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang expressed that the "9th Vietnam - Japan Festival" was held on a very special occasion, when the two countries have just experienced a year 2023 full of important events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations and entering 2024 - the first year of implementing the framework of the Vietnam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The festival represents the common aspiration of the leaders and people of the two countries to further strengthen friendship and cooperation, join hands to build a better future for the two nations, and actively contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development of the region and the world.
The Deputy Prime Minister believes that the Festival will attract the participation of many people from both countries; bringing colorful experiences about the country, people, exquisite culinary arts as well as the traditional cultural beauty of each country.
The festival continues to be a bridge of friendship, strengthening the sincere bond and mutual trust between the people of the two countries, promoting multi-faceted cooperation and exchange between Vietnam and Japan.
At the same time, it contributes to further deepening the relationship of "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World" not only in the fields of economic cooperation, trade, tourism, labor... but also expanding to new fields such as environment, digital transformation, green transformation, high technology...
At the ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai welcomed and appreciated the joint efforts of the Festival Organizing Committee, collaborators, and Japanese and Vietnamese friends who have jointly organized the Vietnam - Japan Festival series over the years with an increasingly expanding scale and increasingly diverse forms.
The Chairman of the City People's Committee expressed his hope that this year's Festival will add a special highlight to the close relationship between the two countries, creating a bridge to expand understanding and strengthen friendship between the two peoples, so that the two countries "will hold hands tightly from now on".
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam Yamada Takio shared that between the Japanese and Vietnamese people there is a bond based on "understanding and empathy" that has been nurtured through long-standing historical and cultural ties. Through activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, this bond has become deeper and stronger.
As the 51st year of diplomatic relations, the starting year to further accelerate the development of bilateral relations, Mr. Yamada Takio hopes that 2024 will see many great strides in the substantive and effective development of Japan-Vietnam relations, worthy of the name "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership".
2023 is a milestone year in the relationship between Vietnam and Japan when the two sides agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World".
In 2023, Vietnam and Japan successfully organized activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2023. Throughout history, Vietnam and Japan are two countries with many cultural similarities, which has made the relationship increasingly develop and raise it to a new level. In particular, economic, cultural, sports and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in recent times has achieved many good results, contributing positively to the development of cooperation and friendship between the people of the two countries.
It can be said that the Vietnam - Japan relationship is a typical model of effective and sincere cooperation, with very open potential and prospects.
Continuing and promoting this traditional value, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Organizing Committee of the Vietnam - Japan Festival in Japan co-organized the "9th Vietnam - Japan Festival". The festival is an annual cultural and diplomatic event of the City to continue affirming the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" relationship between the two countries, enhancing cultural exchange between the two countries, contributing to promoting trade, investment, tourism, enhancing friendship and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.
The 9th Vietnam - Japan Festival in Ho Chi Minh City will take place from March 9-10 with the following activities: Trade, culinary and tourism exchange program; promotion of Vietnam - Japan products and Vietnam - Japan cultural and artistic exchange program taking place for 2 days and 2 nights, from March 9-10 at 23/9 Park; Seminar and trade talks to promote Japanese tourism in Vietnam.
The 9th Vietnam - Japan Festival in 2024 is imbued with the rich and diverse cultural identities of Vietnam and Japan, and is an opportunity to further strengthen the spirit of friendship between the two countries of Vietnam and Japan. The festival has deepened the cooperative relationship between the two countries, opening a new period of stronger and more extensive development, meeting the needs and common interests of both countries and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.
Source
Comment (0)