Hanoi and Fukuoka Prefecture should strengthen their collaboration in education, youth development, healthcare, and culture to deepen the robust bilateral friendship.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan (r) and Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Kohara Katsuji. Photos: The Hanoi Times

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan made the remarks during a meeting with Kohara Katsuji, Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, on January 22.

At the meeting, Tuan praised the visit of the Fukuoka Prefecture delegation to Hanoi, emphasizing that Vietnam and Japan are comprehensive strategic partners, a relationship nurtured diligently by the leadership of both countries and Japanese localities, including Fukuoka.

During their visit to  Hanoi, the Fukuoka Prefecture delegation is scheduled to hold talks with the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee and sign various memoranda of understanding to enhance cooperation.

The official exchange visit of the high-level Fukuoka Prefecture delegation to Hanoi, as part of the delegation exchange between Hanoi and Fukuoka,  demonstrates the importance, desire, and efforts of both parties to promote collaborative ties.

For his part, Katsuji expressed his gratitude for the warm reception by Hanoi's leadership and pointed out that the upcoming 10th anniversary of the friendly cooperation between the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly and the Hanoi People's Council will be celebrated in 2024. Therefore, this visit is of special significance.

"I hope that many memoranda of understanding will be signed, and more exchange activities will be promoted in the future," stated Katsuji.

Chairman Tuan echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the comprehensive results achieved in the cooperative relationship between the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly and the Hanoi People's Council, as well as the broader collaboration between the two regions.

Highlighting Hanoi's commitment to fortifying ties with Japanese counterparts, Tuan underscored that the city's leadership has made several visits to Fukuoka in recent months, yielding positive and fruitful outcomes.

On this occasion, Tuan briefed the Fukuoka delegation on the Hanoi People's Council's operational model and Hanoi's economic and social development situation. He emphasized that the city is undergoing a new development phase, with a population exceeding 10 million, a well-maintained economic growth rate, numerous traditional craft villages, and cultural heritage sites with a history of over a thousand years.

“Hanoi is eager to learn from Japan's experiences in various fields such as education, healthcare, environment, and culture,” Tuan said.

Impressed by the positive outcomes of the collaboration between Hanoi and Fukuoka in recent times, Tuan stated that both sides need to continue reviewing and enhancing cooperation in areas like education, youth development, healthcare, and culture to deepen the amicable relations and diplomatic ties between the two regions.

He conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Fukuoka delegation's visit and work in Hanoi, expressing confidence that their visit will further strengthen the friendship between the two regions and open up new potential for future cooperation.

Katsuji thanked Chairman Tuan for his attentive consideration of the ideas presented by the delegation during the working session. He also thanked the Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka for facilitating the meaningful visit to Vietnam and Hanoi.