Hanoi – President Vo Van Thuong, along with his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, departed from Hanoi on November 26 for a four-day official visit to Japan. This visit comes at the invitation of the Japanese State and signifies a milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to Vietnam News Agency, this trip marks President Thuong’s first visit to Japan and is the fourth such visit by a Vietnamese President since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan 50 years ago. The delegation accompanying President Thuong includes notable figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defence Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of Public Security Tran Quoc To, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu.

The year 2023 is a significant one, as it celebrates the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and the 9th anniversary of the elevation of their bilateral relationship to an extensive strategic partnership. President Thuong’s visit is expected to further strengthen the ties between Vietnam and Japan, building on the solid foundation of half a century of diplomatic relations and shared strategic interests.