The year 2024 offers numerous opportunities for cooperation between Hanoi and Fukuoka, marked by an important milestone—the signing of an agreement to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the upcoming period.

In 2023 which marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the friendly cooperation between Hanoi and Fukuoka Province (2008-2023), the two regions have witnessed significant achievements in various fields such as education, labor, and environment, including student and youth exchange programs and waste management.

A special relation

Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture Hattori Seitaro. Photos: The Hanoi Times

"The relationship with Hanoi is very special," noted Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture Hattori Seitaro during a meeting with the Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh on January 23, as part of his visit to Hanoi from January 21 to 25, 2024.

The visit of the high-level delegation from Fukuoka Prefecture underscores the importance of the longstanding friendship on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of cooperation and paves the way for new opportunities and prospects in the upcoming phase.

The meeting on January 23 was also attended by Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Council Kohara Katsuji, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Council Phung Thi Hong Ha, along with representatives from departments, agencies, consulates, and local authorities of both sides.

Governor Hattori Seitaro expressed delight at the opportunity to visit on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the friendship between Hanoi and Fukuoka, as well as the 10th anniversary of the agreement to promote exchange and friendship signed in 2014.

Building upon the extensive collaboration in various areas, ranging from education to the environment and people-to-people exchanges, Governor Hattori Seitaro expressed the hope that in the coming time, the two regions will further strengthen cooperation to implement common plans and bring tangible benefits to both sides.

He emphasized the importance of promoting exchanges between the younger generations of Fukuoka and Hanoi, seeing it as a foundation for maintaining and developing a strong and lasting bilateral friendship in the future.

In discussing the economic and social situation in Fukuoka, Governor Hattori Seitaro expressed his desire to increase the number of foreigners studying and working in the province, including Vietnamese people. Highlighting the favorable conditions created by the prefectural government for foreign communities to study and work, he expressed the hope that Hanoi would continue to cooperate and facilitate the study and work of Japanese citizens in the city.

In terms of future cooperation, Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Council Kohara Katsuji called for the rapid resumption of students and youth exchange programs, which had been effectively implemented in previous years but were interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. He also emphasized the need to promote cultural exchange activities and strengthen economic cooperation.

On this occasion, Kohara Katsuji introduced the One Health project, a collaborative initiative among the health, veterinary, and environmental sectors to achieve optimal health for people, animals, and the globe. He sought the support of Hanoi in expanding and popularizing the project to raise public awareness of health protection.

Major achievements

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh.

Agreeing with the Fukuoka leaders, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh affirmed that Hanoi always values its cooperative relationship with Japanese localities, especially Fukuoka Province.

"After 15 years of construction and development, the relationship between Hanoi and Fukuoka has gained a high level of trust and understanding, with extensive cooperation in many fields, contributing positively to the economic and social development of each locality," emphasized Thanh.

Specifically, in the field of environment, the Fukuoka Waste Landfill Project, which utilizes high-efficiency gasification technology at the Xuan Son Waste Treatment Area with an area of about 3 hectares, has been in operation since 2015. It has proven to be effective in waste treatment and environmental protection, with a capacity to handle about 240 tons per day.

From 2010 to the end of 2023, the Fukuoka Prefecture’s authorities have organized 14 training courses for over 40 Hanoi officials to enhance management capabilities in environmental issues.

Cooperation in agriculture has also been a highlight between the two regions, with notable activities such as the Hanoi-Fukuoka Agriculture Promotion Seminar in 2018 and a training program in 2018 for officials from Hanoi's districts and towns to study the experience of high-tech agriculture development in Fukuoka Province.

In terms of education and training, from 2012 to date, Hanoi has annually hosted 40 to 60 students from Fukuoka, while sending 20 students from Hanoi to Japan for study, cultural exchange, and mutual learning. This program has played a meaningful role in enhancing understanding and cultural exchange between the young generations of the two localities.

In the cultural and people-to-people exchange sphere, events such as "Hanoi Cultural Days in Fukuoka," "Fukuoka Cultural Days in Hanoi," and "Vietnam and Hanoi Festival" in Fukuoka, organized on the occasion of the milestone anniversaries, have successfully contributed to promoting cultural awareness and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

Delegates at the meeting.

In 2023, the two regions successfully coordinated activities to commemorate the 15th anniversary, with an official delegation from Hanoi led by Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, visiting Fukuoka in November 2023.

Building on this foundation, Thanh emphasized that the current visit of the high-level delegation from Fukuoka to Hanoi is of great significance. It provides an opportunity for the leaders of both regions to exchange views, assess cooperation results, and set directions to enhance the effectiveness of implementation for the next five years.

Importantly, both parties have reached a consensus to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation between the Hanoi People's Committee and the Fukuoka Prefectural Government for the period 2024-2028.

This agreement serves as a basis for intensifying comprehensive, practical, and effective bilateral cooperation between Hanoi and Fukuoka.

Seizing this opportunity, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh called for expanding cooperation in the fields of health and trade, as well as maintaining and enhancing traditional collaboration in education, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties.

The signing ceremony between Hanoi's Mayor Tran Sy Thanh and Governor of Fukuoka Prefector Hattori Seitaro.

Governor Hattori Seitaro highly appreciated the suggestions of Chairman Tran Sy Thanh and mentioned that Fukuoka Province currently has four medical universities. This presents an opportunity for exchanges and cooperation to improve healthcare quality for both localities.

*On this occasion, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh and Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture Hattori Seitaro signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation between Hanoi People's Committee and the Fukuoka Provincial Government for the period 2024-2028. Under the agreement, the parties identified the leads to promote exchanges. On Hanoi's side, it will be the Department of Foreign Affairs, and on Fukuoka's side, it will be the International Relations Bureau. Specialized agencies in each specific field will be responsible for exchanges to further develop the cooperative relationship.