The program was attended by Mr. Nguyen Truc Son, Standing Vice Chairman of Ben Tre Provincial People's Committee and many distinguished guests. It is organized in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (21/9/1973 - 21/9/2023).

Delegates discussed on the sidelines of the event.

Speaking at the program, Ben Tre Standing Vice Chairman Nguyen Truc Son reviewed an important milestone in Vietnam - Japan relationship after half a century of cooperation and mutual development. At the same time, he affirmed that the 50-year milestone will create a foundation for Vietnam - Japan relations to develop further, as partners with equal status and bringing mutual benefits.

According to Standing Vice Chairman Son, along with the good development momentum between the two countries, in recent years, Ben Tre province has attached great importance and has taken strong and specific steps to promote cooperation between the province and Japanese authorities, organizations, individuals and businesses at all levels.

To date, Ben Tre has established cooperative relations with some Japanese localities in many fields, seeing this as an important driving force contributing to the province's socio-economic development. The provincial leaders signed an economic cooperation memorandum with the Governor of Ehime perfectual in 2022 and sent an investment promotion delegation in Japan in June 2023…

Art performances at the event.

Among 64 FDI projects being implemented in Ben Tre, 4 projects are from Japanese partners with a total investment capital of more than USD 79 million, accounting for nearly 5% of the total foreign direct investment capital in the province.

Trade between Ben Tre businesses and Japanese partners tends to increase. Export turnover to Japan in 3 years (2019-2021) reached USD 728,433 million, an average increase of 25% each year. In the first 6 months of 2023, exports to Japan reached USD 128.72 million, and imports reach USD 48.336 million. To date, Ben Tre has sent 4,000 contract laborers to work in Japan, accounting for over 90% of the total number of laborers from Ben Tre working abroad.

Regarding the mobilization of Japanese non-governmental projects, from 1990 until now there have been 8 Japanese non-governmental organizations supporting Ben Tre province with a total budget of more than USD 1,2 million, mainly in the fields of healthcare, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, entrepreneurship education and rural transportation.

Marking the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, Ben Tre province hopes to continue to receive more attention and support from Japan in the construction and implementation of new projects, focusing on priority areas such as improving capacity to adapt to climate change, reduce natural disaster risks, and respond to saltwater intrusion; provision of clean water; wastewater treatment systems for urban areas and concentrated residential areas; improving capacity in the fields of healthcare and education; poverty reduction, jobs creation, and the ensure of social security...

Mr. Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, evaluated Ben Tre province as a beautiful place, with fertile land, unique coconut festival and strongly developed agriculture and fishery industry. He also recognized that local exchange activities are also being promoted in Ben Tre province. Consulate General of Japan expressed his hope that in the future, Japanese businesses will pay more attention to Ben Tre province, expand investment, and deepen the relationship between Japan and Ben Tre.

Rewarding individuals who have made positive contributions to building the friendship between Ben Tre and Japan.

On this occasion, the opening ceremony of the Vietnam - Japan Cultural Experience Space was held. Ben Tre Provincial People's Committee also awarded certificates of merit to groups and individuals who have made many positive contributions in building, preserving, and promoting the good traditional relationship between Vietnam – Japan. Winners of the contest to learn about diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan organized by the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ben Tre province in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Ben Tre province and Department of Education and Training are also rewarded.

Earlier, on the same day, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Ngoc Tam also had a coutersy meeting with Mr. Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City.

Japanese-funded project worth 266,170 USD to help Ben Tre manage water resources The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre has launched a Japanese-funded water management project worth 266,170 USD.

Japan’s NGO builds vegetable processing facility in Ben Tre A vegetable processing facility in the southern province of Ben Tre’s Ba Tri district, was inaugurated on February 24.

Japanese Association Supports Children with Disabilities in Ben Tre The NGO Support of Vietnam Children Association (SVCA) supports children with disabilities in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Ben Tre.