During a ceremony in Hanoi on December 13, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Bui Khac Son expressed hope that the Japan Cherry Blossom Association will further contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the two peoples. 

Terumi, for his part, pledged to continue working closely with the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association to boost friendship and all-around collaboration between the two countries. 

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties and the 60th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory, the Japan Cherry Blossom Association gave 1,000 cherry blossom trees as a gift to the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, the site of the historic battle against French colonialists. 

This year, the association presented 1,000 cherry blossom trees to the northern provinces of Yen Bai and Ha Giang.-VNA