Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng welcomed Japanese counterpart Takaichi Sanae at the Government headquarters in Hà Nội on May 2. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng on Saturday morning hosted an official welcome ceremony for Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, who is on a three-day official visit to Việt Nam.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Văn Giang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Đặng Xuân Phong, Finance Minister Ngô Văn Tuấn, Minister of Industry and Trade Lê Mạnh Hùng, and Minister of Education and Training Hoàng Minh Sơn, among other officials.

After the welcome ceremony, the two PMs held a restricted meeting and talks to review bilateral cooperation and outline orientations for the time ahead, before witnessing the signing and exchange of collaboration agreements between Việt Nam and Japan.

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae review the Honour Guard of the Việt Nam People’s Army. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

The leaders also visited a photo exhibition on the two countries, their people and the Việt Nam–Japan relationship, organised by the Vietnamese Government Office and the Vietnam News Agency.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Phạm Quang Hiệu, the visit from May 1-3 carries significant importance, demonstrating Japan’s high regard for the Việt Nam–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as both countries enter a new stage of development.

He noted that Việt Nam is the first country in the region visited by PM Takaichi following her re-election in February 2026, reflecting Việt Nam's important position in Japan’s regional policy. The visit is expected to further strengthen political trust, enhance high-level strategic exchanges, and inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation, making it more substantive and effective.

Vietnamese and Japanese Government leaders listen to the national anthems of each country during the welcome ceremony on May 2. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

Discussions are set to focus on priority areas aligned with the strengths of both sides, including economic cooperation, science and technology, innovation, energy and food security, semiconductor production, artificial intelligence (AI), green transition, high-quality human resources development, tourism, local-level cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as closer coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

In addition to science and technology, key areas of interest include energy cooperation, smart and high-tech agriculture, infrastructure development, and strengthening resilient supply chains.

PM Lê Minh Hưng hosted the welcome ceremony for Japanese counterpart Takaichi Sanae on May 2. —VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Ito Naoki said this marks PM Takaichi’s second visit to Việt Nam, following her previous trip in 2020 when she served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

He affirmed that Japan looks forward to strengthening ties with Việt Nam's leaders, including Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, PM Lê Minh Hưng, and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn. The visit will provide an opportunity to reaffirm enhanced coordination under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework and to address regional and global challenges.

A series of high-level meetings are expected to take place, covering issues such as energy, economic security, rare earths, and people-to-people and academic exchanges between the two countries, he said. — VNA/VNS

A student of Hà Nội presented Japanese PM Takaichi Sanae with flowers during the welcome ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang