Vietnam-Japan cooperation must put localities, businesses and people at the center, prime minister says

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has called for Vietnam-Japan cooperation to move beyond commitments and deliver practical results, with local governments, businesses and people at its center.

He made the remarks at the opening of the 2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Hue, organized by Vietnam's Foreign Ministry, Hue city and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. The two-day forum carries the theme “Vietnam-Japan local cooperation: Creating a digital, green and sustainable future, from strategic commitments to practical action.”

More than 700 delegates attended, including about 250 representatives from Japanese government agencies, local authorities, organizations, associations and businesses, and about 450 participants from Vietnam's central government, provinces, cities, organizations and companies. Japan was also represented by Ambassador Ito Naoki and Nara Governor Yamashita Makoto. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae sent a congratulatory message remotely.

Opening discussions focused on two areas: building Vietnam-Japan local innovation ecosystems to promote digital transformation and smart cities, and turning heritage preservation into opportunities for cultural industries and local cooperation. Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said the forum gave concrete form to discussions between the two prime ministers in May, including commitments to strengthen people-to-people and workforce links through cooperation in local government, labor, health, culture and tourism.