Nghe An's Friendship Association Works for Stronger Vietnam-Japan Ties

With practical results, the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Nghe An province has contributed to fostering the friendly relations between the two peoples of Vietnam, Japan in general and Japan, Nghe An in particular.

The third congress of the Nghe An's Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association, term 2022-2027 on June 26 took place to review its activities in the last term and map out the plan in the new term.

The delegates listened to the summary report of the association's second term which have actively contributed to consolidating and strengthening the friendship and solidarity between the people of the two countries.

Bridge connecting with Japan's side

During the past term, the association has achieved many remarkable results, notably playing a good role as a bridge for Japanese partners to cooperate with Nghe An.

The association has established long-term and regular relationships with five Japanese organizations and individuals. Through these partners, Nghe An province has received valuable and timely support from Japan in various fields.

People-to-people exchange activities between Nghe An and Japan took place actively, through education, tourism, NGOs activities, youth and student exchange programs. Especially on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan in 2018, the association has cooperated with the Asaba Association of Fukuroi City and the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam to successfully organize a Japanese culture week in the province.

Provincial People's Committee presents an emulation flag bearing the words "Active, Flexible, Collaborative, Developing" to the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association in Nghe An province.

The association has enlisted a relatively large amount of aid such as four small projects sponsored by Japanese Embassy in Hanoi. Each project included building four classrooms, fully equipped with tables and chairs, blackboards at four primary schools in the districts of Do Luong and Nghi Loc, with a total cost of nearly VND 8 billion.

The non-profit organization International Small Vessel Recycle Project also donated a used small-sized rescue ship worth nearly VND 2 billion to the province.

The association mobilized its members to contribute VND 400 million to the construction of Phan Boi Chau Memorial area and 10 wheelchairs for disabled people in Nam Dan district.

Two Japanese Nezu Moritaka and Nezu Tenryo personally gifted JPY 60,000 to Phan Boi Chau Memorial Area along with books and teaching materials for students of Nghi Truong Commune Primary School, Nghi Loc District and Hung Hoa Commune Primary School, Vinh City.

During the last tenure, the association has widely released three bilingual publications introducing and promoting the image of the country and people of Nghe An with Japanese friends, as well as the friendship between Vietnam - Japan.

Ramping up resources

Speaking at the congress, Nguyen Nam Dinh, standing vice chairman of the Provincial People's Council, recognized and appreciated the contributions of the association in the past time.

Nguyen Nam Dinh, standing vice chairman of the Provincial People's Council speaks at the congress.

Dinh, who also is vice president of the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations, suggested that the association, in the new term, focus on effectively implementing the guidelines and plans of the Central, provincial, and Nghe An Friendship Union on people-to-people diplomacy in the current situation; and actively strengthening the relations with the central Vietnam - Japan Association and the provincial Friendship Union.

According to Dinh, the association needs to promote the results achieved, be proactive, flexible, and creative in people-to-people diplomacy; constantly innovating contents and forms in the field of external information. Especially, it is necessary to promote its role as a bridge between Nghe An - Japan in such fields as trade, labor export, education, and tourism.

The province will regularly monitor and support all activities of the association, to contribute to strengthening the tradition of cooperation between Vietnam - Japan in general and Nghe An - Japan in particular.

For the term 2022-2027, the association must determine that resources development is the most important task. Accordingly, the association will need to attract funding from the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, fostering close relations with Japanese partners to mobilize more non-governmental humanitarian aid.

In addition, the association is asked to continue to strengthen and improve the efficiency of traditional relationships, actively establish new partner network, become a bridge connecting Japanese and Nghe An's organizations and businesses.

Hoang Phu Hien, president of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association in Nghe An province, speaks at the congress.

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