President Tran Dai Quang and his wife on March 3 visited Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at their hotel to say good-bye to the Japanese royal couple before they leave Hanoi to visit Hue city in the central province of Thua Thien Hue.

President Tran Dai Quang and his wife Nguyen Thi Hien say good-bye to Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko before the royal couple leave Hanoi for Hue 

The President introduced to the guests the unique culture of Hue, the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty, which was recognised by the UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 1993.

He noted that many relics in Hue have been preserved and restored with support of the Japanese Government and experts from Waseda and Tokyo Universities.

Thua-Thien-Hue has also established cooperative ties with many Japanese localities, including the ancient royal capital cities of Nara and Kyoto, and Yokohama.

During their stay in Hue, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are scheduled to visit the commemorative site for Phan Boi Chau, a patriotic scholar who launched Dong Du (Travel East) movement in early 20th century, which encouraged Vietnamese youngsters to go to Japan to study.

President Tran Dai Quang said that a stele in Fukuroi city in Shizuoka Prefecture to commemorate doctor Asaba Sakitaro, who supported Dong Du movement, is evidence for the beautiful friendship between Vietnam and Japan in the 20th century.

He said he hopesEmperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will take time to enjoy the ancient and peaceful Hue city, and experience the similarity in culture of the two countries through Nha nhac-the Hue court music.

The Emperor and Empress expressed thanks for the warm and sincere sentiment and welcome of the Vietnamese President and people.

They said they are eager to enjoy Nha nhac that shared the same origin with Japanese court music, and visit historical sites reflecting the friendship and cooperation between Japan and Vietnam.

Party leader receives Japanese Emperor Akihito

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) receives Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception on March 3 for Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who are on a week-long State visit to Vietnam.

The Party General Secretary stated that the visit, which is the first ever made by a Japanese Emperor to Vietnam, carries historic meaning and marks a new development in the friendly relationship between the two countries.

He affirmed Vietnam very much treasures the ties with Japan and wishes to further strengthen the friendship.

General Secretary Trong took the occasion to thank Japan for giving Vietnam valuable assistance in social-economic development and national construction in the past years.

Emperor Akihito recalled the vivid impressions that he got during the meetings with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Japan in 2008 and 2015. 

He thanked the Party General Secretary, other leaders and people of Vietnam for the respectful and warm welcome.

The Japanese Emperor and Empress and General Secretary Trong discussed in depth the cultures and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan, highlighting the cultural similarities and long-time cultural exchange between the two nations.

Emperor Akihito expressed deep sympathy for Vietnam’s great losses caused by wars, noting that he is impressed by the great achievements the country has achieved in its reform process and reconstruction. 

The Emperor appreciated Vietnam’s contribution to world peace and wished that people of the two countries continue cooperation for peace.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Emperor Akihito shared the view that the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation is now at its best in history, and the hope that the visit of the Emperor and Empress will help promote the bilateral relations across many fields.

VNA