MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet having a meeting with H.E Mr. Takebe Tsutomu - Special Advisor of the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance (Photo: TITC)

According to H.E Mr. Takebe Tsutomu - Special Advisor of the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, in recent years, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan in the fields of culture, sports and tourism has achieved abundant good results, actively contributing to the development of cooperative relations and friendship between people of the two countries.

Mr. Nguyen Le Phuc, Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

In 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam signed a Culture and Tourism Cooperation Agreement for the period 2023-2025 with the Wakayama Prefecture Government and a Culture, Sports and Tourism Cooperation Agreement for the period 2023-2025 with the Government of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Every year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam coordinates with Japan to organise Cultural Festivals in each country and other meaningful joint cultural activities. Besides, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also supported Japan in organising Japanese film festivals in Vietnam, symphony concerts and opera programmes.

In 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the Japanese side to organise many exciting activities.

Overview of the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Regarding the tourism field, H.E Mr. Takabe Tsutomu suggested that the two sides need to increase support for advertising, promotion, and implementation of bilateral tourism stimulation programmes, encouraging the participation of aviation, travel businesses, and hotels of the two countries. H.E Mr. Takabe Tsutomu also hopes to receive support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organise and promote communication for the Hokkaido Festival to be held in Ha Long, Quang Ninh Province (Vietnam) next November. At the same time, Vietnam - Japan will enhance the organisation of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchange activities, arousing the love of the young generation for the traditional culture of the two nations. Thereby, constantly strengthening and promoting the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

H.E Mr. Takabe Tsutomu then affirmed that the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance will continue to be a bridge, contributing to the development of culture, sports and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet shows his gratitude towards the good results of the friendly cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan in recent times. He highly appreciates the cooperation and coordination of Japan in general and H.E Mr. Takebe Tsutomu in particular in culture, sports and tourism exchange activities between the two countries.

Also, MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet sends his appreciation to H.E Mr. Takebe Tsutomu for actively supporting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to successfully organise Vietnam Tourism and Cultural Festivals in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture in 2019 and 2022.

Leaders of both sides exchanging souvenirs (Photo: TITC)

H.E Mr. Takebe Tsutomu initiated coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organise the Vietnam Festival in Hokkaido for the first time in 2019 and continue for the second time in 2022, making a good impression on the Japanese people with its cultural beauty, unique tourism and rich cuisine of Vietnam.

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet indicated that the festival is not only an important channel to help the people of the two countries increase mutual understanding, but also a bridge connecting Vietnamese expatriates far away from the Fatherland. He inquired H.E Mr. Takebe Tsutomu to continue supporting the organisation of the Vietnam Tourism and Cultural Festival in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture in the coming years. Both sides will make efforts to have this festival held annually in Sapporo City.

From 16th November to 19th November 2023, Hokkaido Province will coordinate with Quang Ninh Province to organise the first Hokkaido Festival in Ha Long. MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet wishes H.E Mr. Takebe Tsutomu and Hokkaido Prefecture a successful organisation of this event, and expressed support for Hokkaido Prefecture to organise the Hokkaido Festival in Ha Long in the following years.

In the coming time, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will strengthen promotion activities, promoting tourism, culture and sports exchanges deeply into each locality of Japan. It is recommended that Hokkaido Prefecture continue to coordinate and support the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organise the Vietnam Tourism and Culture Festival and turn the event into an annual activity in Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, joining hands to held exchange and cooperation activities in substantive and long-term way, effectively promoting the culture of each country and each locality, contributing to deepening the good relationship between the two people.

Leaders and delegates taking souvenir photo (Photo: TITC)

In January 2020, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (now known as Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) signed a tourism cooperation agreement with Hokkaido Prefecture, so the two sides need to continue to promote the implementation of the signed cooperation agreement; including organising events to promote Vietnamese tourism in Hokkaido, organising presstrip to promoting tourism in the two countries; supporting  to train human resources for Vietnam in the fields of culture, sports and tourism.

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