Vibrant Vietnam - Japan Cultural and Trade Exchange Program 2023 in Can Tho City

Chairman Tran Viet Truong (left, in black) and Mayor Watanabe Michitaro (right, in black) visit the booths at the Vietnam – Japan Cultural and Trade Exchange Program 2023

The Vietnam - Japan Cultural and Trade Exchange Program 2023 has ended successfully in Can Tho City yesterday evening, attracting more than 100,000 visitors, both Vietnamese and Japanese. The event, lasted two days on June 17-18, 2023 is the highlight for the of the 50^th diplomatic relations anniversary between Vietnam and Japan.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee, emphasized that for Can Tho, the Vietnam - Japan Cultural and Trade Exchange Program is not only important for people-to-people exchange and bilateral cooperation, but it also shows the desire of the City to contribute to the mutal ties and development interests between Vietnam and Japan. The city leader trusted that the Program would continue the success, bring unique and vivid cultural experiences to people as well as opportunities to expand cooperation for the business community of the two countries, contributing to the deepening of the Vietnam - Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership.

Conveying the letter sent by the Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Ogawa Megumi, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the Consul General thanked the People's Committee of Can Tho City and related parties for their support and efforts to organize the Program and considered it a memorable event marking the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. The Japanese diplomat hoped that from the city government's efforts in improving the business environment, especially with the development of transport infrastructure, there would be more opportunities to further develop the relationship between Can Tho City and Japanese partners and businesses.

Within the framework of the Program, there was also a trade and investment networking seminar with Japanese businesses. Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Consul General Ogawa Megumi stated that Japan and Can Tho City had a long history of exchanges and cooperation. On the basis of appreciating the potential, strengths as well as a favorable business and investment environment in Ho Chi Minh City, she believed that through the trade connection activities between Japanese and Can Tho enterprises at the seminar, more Japanese businesses would be attracted to invest in Can Tho in the near future.

At the seminar, Japanese businesses were introduced to the city's potentials, strengths and investment cooperation opportunities in the fields of supporting industries, processing and manufacturing industries, high technology, and logistics. The delegates also made valuable recommendations and comments, in line with the actual situation to make Can Tho, to make it a reliable and attractive destination for Japanese businesses and investors in the coming time.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hong, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, Can Tho is committed to creating all favorable conditions for businesses to develop stably and sustainably, creating an open investment environment to attract all resources for investment, development and construction of the city. The Vice Chairman expressed his hope that the seminar would be a premise to create connections, exchanges and promote investment and trade cooperation between investors and businesses of the two countries in the coming time.

On the second day of the Program, there was a dialogue on "Strengthening friendship and promoting effective cooperation with Japanese partners" with panel speakers from DHG Pharmaceuticals, Tri-Viet Company, and the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, together with Dr. Vo Tong Xuan and leaders of Can Tho University. The Japanese speakers all shared the view of a promising Can Tho City for Japanese businesses, thanks to the development of the transportation infrastructure, especially the highways connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. The speakers also suggested the City to develop facilities, in education, recreations, and accommodation, for future Japanese community living and working in Can Tho.

Regarding the locality cooperation, on the afternoon of June 17, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Tran Viet Truong and representatives of relevant departments and agencies had a meeting with the delegation of Nasushiobara City, led by Mayor Watanabe Michitaro. The two sides discussed and exchanged cooperation in the fields of agriculture and tourism.

On this occasion, Can Tho and Nasushiobara signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two localities in the fields of tourism and agriculture. The head of the Can Tho city government expected that from the two main fields of agriculture and tourism, with the advantages, capacity and actual needs of each side, in the coming time between Can Tho and Nasushiobara would have many opportunities to expand cooperation in other fields such as trade, investment, labor and exchange of human resources, etc. From that, the relationship between Can Tho and Nasushiobara would be built into into a mutually supportive and complementary relationship, for sustainable development together.

Earlier, on the afternoon of June 16, Can Tho College of Culture and Arts hosted the handover ceremony of musical instruments sponsored under the Cultural Grassroots Grant Program. Total value of the aid is $88,274. With this aid, Can Tho College of Culture and Arts has purchased 137 new musical instruments and accessories such as acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, flute, etc. They would be used for teaching at the College and local schools. The sponsored musical instruments were also used to perform cultural performances at the Vietnam - Japan Cultural and Trade Exchange Program.

Musical performance at the opening ceremony

Flowering arrangement demonstration

Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Hong (second, from left) with Japanese partners at the trade and investment networking seminar (Photo: Nam Huong)