A Vietnam-Japan Festival was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 16 to mark the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Cong Tanh, President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the Vietnam-Japan relations have been in the best stage since the two countries set up their diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973.

The two sides have maintained regular delegation exchanges, while strengthening economic, cultural cooperation as well as people-to-people contacts, he said.

Tanh added that the festival aims to further develop the sound ties and enhance the mutual understanding between people of Ho Chi Minh City and Japan.

Hailing the idea of holding the event, Kawaue Junichi, Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City said that high-level visits of senior leaders of both countries on the occasion of the anniversary show the strong growth in strategic extensive partnership between Japan and Vietnam.

He underlined that Ho Chi Minh City is a big city of Vietnam and a key location to expand cooperation areas in the Japan-Vietnam partnership.

Activities of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City and its chapters are significant to the growth of bilateral ties, he said.

At the Vietnam-Japan festival, visitors had a chance to experience traditional culture of Vietnam and Japan through various activities to introduce the land and people of both countries, including tea enjoying and traditional costumes. 

Some Japanese and Vietnamese firms were also highlighted at the event, giving them chance to seek partnership in various fields.-VNA