Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae pose for a group photo with delegates. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Former Party General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh and former Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng were presented with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun at a ceremony in Hà Nội on May 2.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.

Over more than fifty years since diplomatic ties were established, Việt Nam-Japan relations have continued to grow strongly, becoming one of the most successful models of comprehensive and effective bilateral cooperation between Việt Nam and a country in the region.

Such progress reflects the enduring efforts of successive generations in both countries to build and strengthen ties, with notable contributions from the two former Vietnamese leaders.

One of Japan’s most prestigious honours, the Order of the Rising Sun recognises not only their individual contributions but also the Japanese Government's appreciation of the shared efforts that have driven bilateral relations forward.

On behalf of the Japanese Government and State, PM Takaichi conferred the Grand Cordon on Nông Đức Mạnh and Nguyễn Tấn Dũng.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mạnh said he was deeply honoured to receive the distinction alongside the former PM, calling it a tribute to the collective contributions of generations committed to advancing Việt Nam–Japan ties.

Emphasising Japan as a trusted, sincere friend and an important partner of Việt Nam across many fields, the former leader said that throughout his time holding key Party and State positions, he always regarded strengthening Việt Nam-Japan ties as one of the top strategic priorities in the country’s broader foreign policy.

He also recalled his 2009 official visit to Japan, when he and then Prime Minister Taro Aso issued a joint statement establishing a “strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.”

As Prime Minister from 2006 to 2016, Dũng played a central role in translating high-level commitments into concrete cooperation, helping deepen ties across political and economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange. — VNA/VNS