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A performance at the festival. Photo: VTV

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his belief that the event will help to bolster mutual understanding between the countries, and create more cooperation opportunities in education, trade, investment and tourism.

Japan is one of the closest and most sustainable partners of HCM City’s authorities and people, he said, adding that Japan is also the third largest trade partner and the fifth biggest investor of the city.

A booth at the festival. Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn

The southern metropolis has set up ties with seven Japanese localities, which is attributable to the importance the two countries’ high-ranking leaders attach to the Vietnam-Japan relationship at different levels, according to the official.

Takebe Tsutomu, head of the organising board to the Japanese side, said the organisation of the festival after it was delayed for more than one year demonstrated efforts by both countries in promoting the bilateral relations.

The 7th JVF is a major cooperative project of the countries' tourism sector.

The event, opened on April 17, features more than 100 booths of 75 units. Art programmes and sporting events are staged by artists from both countries.

The festival kicked off on April 17. Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn

After Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic ties on September 21, 1973, the bilateral relationship has experienced rapid developments over the past years.

In 1995, Japan was the first country in the Group of Seven (G7) to welcome the Vietnamese Party General Secretary.

In 2009, the two countries set up a strategic partnership. Two years later, Japan was the first G7 member state to recognise Vietnam’s market economy mechanism.

During the visit to Japan by President Truong Tan Sang in March 2014, the two countries advanced their relationship to an extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.

The Vietnam-Japan relationship is now at its best since the establishment of the diplomatic ties, with high mutual trust.

The two sides have maintained important cooperation mechanisms such as the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee co-chaired by foreign ministers of the two countries, the strategic partnership dialogue on external affairs, national defence and security at deputy foreign ministerial level, the defence policy dialogue at the deputy ministerial level, the deputy ministerial-level security dialogue, the joint committee on trade, energy and industry, the agricultural dialogue at the ministerial level, and the maritime policy dialogue at the ministerial level.

Japan is Vietnam’s leading important economic partner, the largest official development assistance (ODA) provider, second biggest investor, third largest tourism partner and fourth largest trade partner./.

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