MUST-SEE: VNA and Kyodo News representatives among other viewers at the exhibition in central Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

HÀ NỘI A photo exhibition opened on Thursday in the centre of Hà Nội to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Japan.

The week-long event themed "Việt Nam-Japan: Towards the Future, Reaching out to the World" is jointly held by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Japan's Kyodo News Agency.

About 50 photos are displayed at the event to present an overview of friendship and co-operation between the two countries in many fields including politics, diplomacy, security, defence, economic-trade-investment cooperation, culture and people-to-people exchange over the past five decades.

On September 21, 1973, Việt Nam and Japan officially established diplomatic ties. In April 2009, Japan became the first G-7 country to establish a strategic partnership with Việt Nam, and in March 2014, the relationship was further upgraded to "Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia”, marking a strong, comprehensive, and substantive development in the bilateral ties.

Attending the opening ceremony on Thursday were representatives from ministries, agencies, the Japanese Embassy in Việt Nam, the Việt Nam - Japan Friendship Association, and various Japanese Government agencies and organisations in Việt Nam.

Speaking at the ceremony, VNA General Director Vũ Việt Trang stressed the event is held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries with a hope to popularise their cooperation achievements over the past half a century, as well as the potential and opportunities for further development in their future cooperative relationship.

It also reflects the effective collaboration in information and communications between VNA and Kyodo News over the past decades.

For his part, Kyodo News President Toru Mizutani held that the photos on display symbolise the exchange and friendship between the two countries in various fields, affirming their extensive and diverse cooperation.

As the theme of this event goes, he said he hopes that Japan and Việt Nam will jointly move towards the future and further deepen their friendship and cooperation for peace and stability in the world.

Visitors to the event will have an opportunity to look back on the significant milestones and prominent events over the past five decades in all bilateral co-operation areas captured by photographers from the VNA and Kyodo.

These photos create the most authentic, lively and clearest evidence showing that the Việt Nam - Japan relations of friendship have never been better than they are now. Not only do the two nations share numerous strategic benefits, but their leaders and peoples also enjoy a close bond of mutual trust and support in various fields.

The images of projects completed through effective cooperation between Japan and Việt Nam will contribute to lifting bilateral extensive strategic partnership to a greater height on the principles of "Sincerity, Friendship and Trust” so that both nations can march forward together, reaching out to the world in pursuit of a bright future.

A series of performances, art and cultural activities have already taken place this year across Việt Nam and Japan to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The Consulate General of Việt Nam in Osaka, in collaboration with the Japan-Việt Nam Friendship Association of Sakai City in Osaka prefecture, and the local administration organised a special concert in April to celebrate the event.

The concert has contributed to promoting cultural exchanges and cohesion between the two nations, adding it is a foundation to build a strong relationship between the two countries in the coming time.

The Việt Nam-Japan Festival 2023 kicked off in the central city of Đà Nẵng on July 13 attracting participation of 80 booths introducing Vietnamese and Japanese cultures, traditional dishes, and information about education, study, tourism and trade.

The festival has become a significant annual cultural event not only for Đà Nẵng residents but also for Japanese people living and working in the city and tourists.

From July 12-23, the Japan Business Association in Đà Nẵng (JCCID) organised a magnificent lighting space with 500,000 LED lights at Dragon Bridge West Bank Park.

The Dragon Bridge West Bank Park in Đà Nẵng was adorned with a large-scale installation that features three captivating themes, including Sakura Dom and Sakura Garden, which evoke the essence of Japan, and Lotus Lake, inspired by the stunning lotus lake in Việt Nam.

Furthermore, a Việt Nam– Japan Festival was held at Biển Đông (East Sea) Park from July 13-16. The festival was an incredible opportunity to engage in cross-cultural exchange programs across various fields, focusing on promoting international cooperation between Đà Nẵng, Japanese representative offices in Việt Nam, Japanese locals, organisations, businesses, and artists.

Meanwhile, the construction of a Việt Nam-Japan friendship house began in the southern province of Long An on July 28.

Covering a total area of nearly 7,000sq.m, the project is designed to include various functional zones such as a cultural house, restaurants, an exhibition area, and miniature landscapes representing the cultural characteristics of Việt Nam and Japan.

This project not only caters for people of Long An province but also serves as a cultural exchange hub and a symbol of friendship and co-operation between the two countries. VNS