Japanese Local Governments Seek Stronger Cooperation with Hue

Hue is looking to deepen ties with two Japanese regions that share its imperial heritage. During the 2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum, city officials held separate meetings with delegations from Kyoto Prefecture and Nara Prefecture.

At the meeting with Kyoto, Hue chairman Le Tri Thanh said both places have long histories, rich cultures and UNESCO-recognized heritage. He identified those similarities as a foundation for expanding cooperation in cultural exchange, heritage preservation, tourism, education, human-resource training, trade and investment.

Kyoto Deputy Governor Furukawa Hironori, who led the Japanese delegation, praised the relationship between the two localities. He said Kyoto wanted to work with Hue to turn the proposals into concrete activities and make their cooperation deeper and more practical.

The relationship dates to 2013 and was reinforced by a friendship and cooperation agreement signed in 2014. Since then, the two sides have organized cultural exchanges, education programs, tourism training, student exchanges and destination-promotion activities. These have included Kyoto cultural and education days in Hue, music exchanges between young people, participation by Hue University students in Kyoto’s student festival, and cooperation between Hue University and educational institutions in Kyoto.

During the meeting with Nara Governor Yamashita Makoto, Thanh again pointed to the two regions’ imperial traditions and UNESCO-recognized heritage. He proposed continuing youth and student exchanges, with research into a program linking Hue University students with universities and other higher-education institutions in Nara from 2027. Hue also wants the two sides to share experience in preserving and promoting heritage values.