In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister expressed condolences to communities affected by recent floods.

He emphasized that the forum is a major event designed to advance collaboration between Vietnamese and Japanese localities. It follows the agreement reached during the official visit to Vietnam by former Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in April 2025.

Chinh praised the forum’s theme as practical and strategic, reflecting sincerity, mutual trust, and shared goals for peace, stability, and prosperity. The event marks a significant step in nurturing long-term, fruitful bilateral ties.

Since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership two years ago, bilateral cooperation has seen notable progress, Chinh noted, highlighting six major developments:

Two-way trade has grown over 20%, Japanese investment in Vietnam increased by over USD 8 billion, the Vietnamese population in Japan has expanded by 20%, and more than ten new local cooperation agreements have been signed.

Moreover, many Vietnamese localities and businesses have begun investing in Japan, particularly in digital transformation, tourism, healthcare, and labor exchange.

The forum’s timing is also symbolic, occurring two years after the bilateral upgrade and shortly after Vietnam completed the restructuring of its administrative system, adopting a two-tier local government model from July 1.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae also sent a congratulatory message to the forum.

Vietnam’s development agenda: openness, infrastructure, smart governance

Prime Minister Chinh outlined Vietnam’s ongoing focus on three pillars: open institutions, seamless infrastructure, and smart governance and human capital.

By the end of 2025, Vietnam aims to complete 3,245 kilometers of expressways and over 1,700 kilometers of coastal roads. The first phase of Long Thanh International Airport will be completed, and a new international airport in Gia Binh, Bac Ninh, is under development to handle tens of millions of passengers annually.

The country is also building one of the world’s top 10 largest national exhibition centers, reviving its nuclear power project, and accelerating major power infrastructure development. In parallel, it is investing in modern digital infrastructure.

Six strategic directions for deeper cooperation

Chinh proposed six key cooperation pillars for discussion and action:

Leveraging complementary strengths: Both sides should adopt a proactive, creative approach that matches needs and resources. Vietnam has many localities needing capital, technology, and industrial support; Japan has regions facing labor shortages and demographic challenges. Localities should identify 1–2 priority sectors and propose 2–3 actionable projects within 1–2 years.

Creating business-friendly policies: Local authorities are encouraged to listen to business voices and create favorable environments for Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises to invest. Cooperation should improve quality of life under the “three betters” principle: better jobs, higher incomes, and improved working conditions.

Enhancing people-to-people exchanges: The forum should foster ideas to promote cultural understanding, tourism, and community engagement between localities.

Driving innovation and digital transformation: Both sides should explore joint models in AI, smart cities, R&D centers, and innovation ecosystems. Chinh called on Japan to support Vietnam in policy development and digital infrastructure, especially in AI and semiconductors.

Focusing on green and climate-resilient infrastructure: The Prime Minister proposed collaborative projects on green infrastructure, urban flood control, waste and wastewater treatment, smart agriculture, and renewable energy.

Developing human resources: With Vietnam in its demographic “golden period” and Japan experiencing labor shortages, Chinh proposed closer training and labor cooperation to benefit both sides.

Chinh endorsed Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi’s motto “Work! Work! Work and Work!” and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to working alongside Japanese localities and investors based on “three togethers”:

Listening and understanding among government, businesses, and citizens
Sharing vision and action for sustainable development
Cooperating to win together and share success and pride

Chinh expressed confidence that this first forum would mark a breakthrough in local-level cooperation, igniting innovative and high-potential initiatives under the guiding principles of sincerity, affection, trust, effectiveness, and mutual benefit.

Pham Cong