HÀ NỘI — The co-operation between Việt Nam and Japan has been highlighted on a new website launched in Hà Nội on Thursday.

The State Records and Archives Department of Việt Nam (SRADV) and the National Archives of Japan (NAJ) have teamed up to design the comprehensive and detailed online exhibition of archival records.

Supervised by Dr Masaya Shiraishi, Emeritus Professor of the Waseda University, the exhibition is divided into four sections Early Associations; Exchange in the Early Modern Era; Exchange in the Modern and Contemporary Periods; Việt Nam and Japan: Old Partners, New Partnership; and Chronological Table.

It serves to demonstrate the historical development in the relationship between the two countries, in the fields of economy, culture, education and art.

The exhibition introduces nearly 50 archival materials currently preserved in the museums of Việt Nam and Japan, including many documents and images which are being published for the first time.

In the late 16th century, Japanese traders sought partners in the Southern East Asian countries including Việt Nam.

Records on Red Seal trading, established in 1604 by Tokugawa Shogunate, and the Japanese town in Hội An are on display proving that the diplomatic and trading relationship between two countries officially started centuries ago, according to Đặng Thanh Tùng, director of the State Records Management and Archives Department.

“From 1604 to 1639, Tokugawa Shogunate sent a total of 350 ships crossed the ocean, and 130 of them traded with Việt Nam,” he said.

“Over the many ups and downs of history, the co-operation between Việt Nam and Japan has reached new heights, especially when the two countries raised their relationship to an extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia."

The president of the National Archives of Japan, Takeo Katoh, hopes the exhibition will deepen the understanding and friendship between Việt Nam and Japan.

Prior to this collaborative, NAJ and SRADV signed the Memorandum of Co-operation last year, to promote collaboration and professional exchange in the fields of archives and records management, according to NAJ President.

“This website is launched as the first project based on this memorandum,” he said.

“The long-standing communication began at around the eighth century, and is still ongoing as we learn from each other.”

“We hope the website will deepen further mutual understanding and friendship between two countries,” he said.

Visitors can access the website at https://www2.archives.gov.vn/vn_jp45. The exhibition is presented in Vietnamese and English. — VNS