Full Viet Nam-Japan Joint Vision Statement

Below is the translation of the Joint Vision Statement:

VIET NAM-JAPAN JOINT VISION STATEMENT 

Partners Advancing Together and Co-creating for Mutual Benefit, Highquality Growth, Strategic Autonomy and Resilience

At the invitation of the State of Japan, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam, and his spouse, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, made an official visit to Japan from November 8-11, 2026. During the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse were received in audience by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and attended a luncheon hosted by Their Majesties at the Imperial Palace; attended the ceremony by Guard of Honor, held the summit meeting, made joint press statements, and witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan; and also addressed the Japanese Diet, visited Kanagawa Prefecture, and held a number of other important high-level engagements.

Building on the important achievements already attained, General Secretary and President To Lam and Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed that Viet Nam and Japan are leading and long-standing partners with many shared interests, and that the development of either country would create favorable conditions for the development of the other. General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that Japan remains a priority partner for Viet Nam in areas including defense, security, economic security, development cooperation, investment, and trade. Prime Minister Takaichi affirmed that Viet Nam is a priority partner in implementing Japan's foreign policy as well as its new Growth Strategy.

Against the increasingly complex international environment, on the basis of the new strategic vision for Viet Nam-Japan relations, General Secretary and President To Lam and Prime Minister Takaichi consented to adopt the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Vision Statement to elevate the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World" to new heights, guided by the spirit of "Partners Advancing Together and Co-creating for Mutual Benefit, High-quality Growth, Strategic Autonomy and Resilience".

Development of Viet Nam-Japan Relations

1. The two leaders highly valued the strong, comprehensive, and substantive growth of Viet Nam-Japan relations in recent years, particularly since the relationship was elevated in 2023 to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World". Political trust has been consolidated and significantly strengthened through frequent high-level exchanges and contacts across political parties, Government and National Assembly channels. Dialogue mechanisms between the ministries, central agencies and localities of the two countries have been implemented effectively.

2. Both sides affirmed that cooperation between the two countries in areas including defense, security, the economy, economic security, energy resources, trade, investment, science, technology, agriculture, the environment, ocean management, education and training, labor, culture, sports, tourism, law and justice, locality cooperation and people-to-people exchanges has developed substantially and has continued to strengthen and broaden. Recognizing the importance of enhancing each side's autonomy and resilience in an increasingly complex international environment, and on the basis of the List of Priority Areas for Cooperation in Economic Security, Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, the two leaders concurred to advance cooperation in science and technology, and economic security, particularly the joint research and human resource development projects in areas such as semiconductors. Cooperation in emerging areas, including digital transformation, green transition and energy security, also made concrete progress. The Vietnamese community in Japan, numbering nearly 700,000, has an increasing proportion of workers with high expertise and skills, and contributes to the development of relations between the two countries.

3. General Secretary and President To Lam highly appreciated Japan's economic development policies, including its new Growth Strategy, and expressed his expectation that, under Prime Minister Takaichi's leadership, Japan would soon realize its growth objectives and continue to play a proactive role in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Viet Nam supported Japan's efforts to realize the updated FOIP in connection with the AOIP, grounded in the principles of adherence to international law, including the UN Charter, to contribute to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Takaichi highly appreciated the important policies being pursued by Viet Nam, under the leadership of its Party and State with General Secretary and President To Lam at the helm, to realize its two centenary development goals. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her support for Viet Nam's reform directions and Japan's readiness to cooperate with Viet Nam in successfully implementing its new development model. Prime Minister Takaichi affirmed that Viet Nam is a priority partner for the realization of FOIP.

4. The two leaders highlighted that the achievements in Viet Nam-Japan cooperation in recent years have resulted from a high level of political trust, the guidance of the two countries' leaders, mutual understanding, the promotion of shared interests, more effective cooperation and efforts to build a shared future, together with broadbased multi-layered support of the peoples of both countries.

On diplomatic relations, security and defense

5. The two leaders consented to promote high-level diplomacy and maintain high-level exchanges and contacts, thereby helping to strengthen trust and understanding between the two countries. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting exchanges through all channels, including those between the political parties, Governments and National Assemblies, as well as people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation, and to consolidating the friendship between the two countries. On this occasion, General Secretary and President To Lam cordially invited Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan and Prime Minister Takaichi to visit Viet Nam at a mutually convenient time.

6. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening substantive and effective cooperation in defense, on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Viet Nam-Japan Defense Cooperation towards the next decade, signed in April 2018; the Memorandum on Cooperation and Exchanges in the Field of Defense, signed in October 2011; the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, signed in September 2021; and other agreements between the two Ministries of Defense. Both sides also announced the convening of the second Viet Nam-Japan Foreign and Defense Vice-Ministerial Consultation (Vice-Ministerial "2+2") to be held in Viet Nam in December 2026.

7. The two leaders consented to explore the possibility of the provision of equipment in the field of UN Peacekeeping Operations under the framework of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) in line with the needs and the defense policy of Viet Nam.

8. The two leaders welcomed progress in cooperation between the two countries on maritime security and safety at sea, including Japan's continued support to the Viet Nam Coast Guard through ODA loan, and consented to continue working together to enhance Viet Nam's maritime security capacity. Both sides also consented to strengthen cooperation in security, law enforcement, intelligence and policing, work together to combat transnational organized crime and foster legal and judicial cooperation.

On strengthening economic connectivity, co-creating to promote high-quality growth, strategic autonomy, resilience and ensuring economic security

9. In light of each side's needs and interests in achieving growth and strengthening strategic autonomy and resilience, and building on many years of economic cooperation, the two sides committed to enhance their economic ties to promote sustainable and long-term development, guided by the principles of equality, co-creation, complementarity, mutual support and mutual benefit. The two countries will work closely together in their developmental process, together contributing their knowledge and resources to the co-creation of new values and together enjoying the fruit of collaboration. The two sides identify four pillars of cooperation, link and complementarity: (i) science, technology and innovation; (ii) education, training and human resource development; (iii) production and supply chain integration; and (iv) finance, investment and development assistance.

10. The two leaders affirmed their desire to promote a new-generation of ODA cooperation in such areas as AI, semiconductors and energy security, and to advance large-scale, high-quality infrastructure projects in Viet Nam. The two leaders welcomed the signing of an agreement to facilitate the implementation of Japan's grant aid projects in Viet Nam and concurred in implementing new grant aid projects at an early date.

11. The two leaders affirmed to continue to advance financial cooperation under the ASEAN+3 Finance Process, which Japan cochairs this year.

12. Prime Minister Takaichi recognized Viet Nam's important role in Japan's efforts to diversify and upgrade its supply chain networks and welcomed the efforts 5 made by Viet Nam to improve the investment environment for Japanese companies including transparency and predictability, and affirmed that Japan would enable Vietnamese businesses to participate more deeply and substantively in global supply chains led by Japanese companies. Viet Nam welcomed high-quality investment from Japan and affirmed its determination to continue improving the investment and business environment and to create all favorable conditions for Japanese businesses to invest in Viet Nam. Japan reaffirmed its continued support for Viet Nam in realizing the latter's two centenary goals.

13. The two leaders consented to continue working closely together to effectively implement Phase 3 (2025-2030) of the "Medium- and Long-Term Vision for Viet Nam-Japan Agricultural Cooperation"; strengthen cooperation in high-quality agriculture to ensure food security by promoting investment, technology and knowledge transfer, and high-quality human resource development. The two leaders further consented to enhance cooperation under the ASEAN-Japan MIDORI Cooperation Plan. The two leaders welcomed that technical consultations for market access on Vietnamese pomelos and Japanese grapes are almost completed, with the prospect that exports will become possible starting from next year.

14. The two leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in environment and consented to further strengthen environmental cooperation. They also affirmed the importance of knowledge sharing, capacity building, and promotion of public-private investment for the benefit of both Viet Nam and Japan, and that these efforts through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) would contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy transition, and sustainable economic development in Viet Nam.

15. The two leaders recognized the important role of the content industry - including electronic games, anime, manga, music, and films - in promoting economic growth and deepening people-to-people exchanges, particularly among young people. They also consented to encourage the organization of large-scale content-related events, including festivals, exhibitions, and live performances. They emphasized the need to combat copyright infringement in cyberspace to ensure the healthy development of the content industry, and the Japanese side welcomed Viet Nam's recent tightening of enforcement. With regard to pirated manga and anime websites, they stressed the need to further address this issue and consented to enhance cooperation to this end.

16. The two leaders consented to strengthen exchanges on policies, laws and experience in integrated ocean management; promote cooperation in developing, integrating and sharing information, in applying AI and advanced technologies, as well as in enhancing capacity for multidisciplinary maritime domain awareness (MDA).

17. The two leaders affirmed the importance of moving ahead with the early implementation of 15 Viet Nam-Japan energy cooperation projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), as well as LNG- and gas-fired power projects invested by Japanese enterprises by working on progressing the business environment as well as ensuring energy security, on the basis of a balance of interests among the parties concerned and in accordance with Vietnamese law. At the same time, the two leaders shared the view on the importance of ensuring free and transparent energy trade, strengthening international coordination on oil stockpiling, and enhancing cooperation on energy between producing and consuming countries, with a view to ensuring stable energy supplies. They concurred to implement cooperation under the POWERR Asia framework announced by Japan. The two leaders also concurred on materializing cooperation, including Japan's technical assistance, human resource development support, and financial support for Viet Nam's national energy reserve and affirmed that Japan continues to be one of the preferred partners in advancing Viet Nam's nuclear power program and consented to continue promoting cooperation in the development of nuclear power in Viet Nam in the future.

18. The two leaders consented to look into the possibility of identifying and materializing cooperation projects in critical minerals, including through collaboration with MDBs, with a view to strengthening the supply chains of both countries according to the conditions and needs of each side.

19. The two leaders consented to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in healthcare and in addressing population ageing, including long-term care on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the two countries under the 'Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative'. They reaffirmed the importance of achieving universal health coverage as the foundation of strengthening prevention, preparedness for and response to future health emergencies through bilateral cooperation and international coordination. The Japanese side confirmed that it will continue to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Viet Nam in research, transfer of technology and knowhow, training of medical personnel, and technical assistance for the formulation of health and medical policies.

On promoting cooperation in science, technology, innovation and high-quality human resource development

20. The two leaders affirmed that the two countries would further strengthen cooperation in education and training and high-quality human resource development, and promote training activities for strategic-level officials of the Party, State and Government of Viet Nam.

21. The two leaders reaffirmed that the Viet Nam-Japan University is a flagship project of educational cooperation between the two countries. They welcomed the signing of the agreement concerning the development of Viet Nam-Japan University and consented to continue developing the University to train advanced, practical and specialized global talent in fields such as advanced science and innovation, including semiconductors. This will be pursued through industry-government-academia collaboration and with the aim of developing the University into a hub for training human resources serving the wider Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders also recognized the importance of promoting Japanese Studies and Vietnamese Studies and encouraging the learning of each other's language, thereby helping to deepen mutual understanding and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

22. The two leaders consented to continue effectively implementing the Joint Committee mechanism for cooperation in science and technology; to effectively implement the Viet Nam-Japan List of Priority Areas for Cooperation in Economic Security, Science and Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation (May 2026). In this context, they also consented to strengthen dialogue to promote cooperation between the two countries in innovation and advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). The two leaders also consented to advance concrete AI cooperation under the Japan-ASEAN AI Co-Creation Initiative.

They also confirmed that they will strengthen cooperation between relevant Japanese and Vietnamese institutions and academies. Prime Minister Takaichi concurred that Japan will strengthen cooperation in the training field and implement joint research projects with Viet Nam in advanced fields, including AI and semiconductors. In this regard, the two leaders highly appreciated the announcement of the implementation of six joint research projects and the next call under the Networked Exchange, United Strength for Stronger Partnerships between Japan and ASEAN (NEXUS), thereby supporting the development of approximately 250 Vietnamese doctoral-level human resources in the semiconductor field and contributing to Viet Nam's goal of training about 100 doctoral-level AI human resources by 2030, and to promote next-generation human resource exchanges in advanced science and technology fields, including semiconductors, through the Sakura Science Exchange Program.

The two leaders further consented to cooperate on the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space, including through cooperation in launching and operating Earth-observation satellites, sharing satellite data and strengthening human resource development.

23. The two leaders confirmed that they attach due importance to the development of trusted digital infrastructure, such as submarine cables, Open RAN, AI RAN, 5G/6G, satellite communications, and All-Photonics Networks, in line with the "FOIP Digital Corridor Initiative".

24.The two leaders affirmed the importance of further promoting cooperation aimed at accelerating patent examinations and improving the predictability of examination results in Viet Nam.

On promoting people-to-people and local exchanges, tourism, cultural exchanges and cooperation in other areas

25. The two leaders highly valued the positive contributions made by the Vietnamese community in Japan and the Japanese community in Viet Nam to the socioeconomic development of both countries and to bilateral relations, while reaffirming the importance of raising awareness among nationals of both countries about abiding by the laws and regulations of the host country. They consented to coordinate in addressing issues concerning the sending and accepting of Vietnamese workforce and other. The two sides consented to promote negotiations to sign an Agreement between Viet Nam and Japan on Social Security at an early date. They also welcomed the launch of preliminary consultations toward concluding an international agreement on consular cooperation, including mandatory consular notification.

26. The two leaders affirmed their support for promoting cultural and intellectual exchanges and Japanese-language education through tourism, cultural and culinary festivals held in each country, as well as the "Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation: WA Project 2.0." They also consented to further deepen cooperation between localities and to hold the third Viet Nam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum in 2027. Looking ahead to the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two leaders concurred in designating the years 2027-2028 as the "Japan - Viet Nam Tourism Year".

Strengthening regional, international and global cooperation

27. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN solidarity and centrality and consented to work closely together and make positive contributions to strengthening the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive, effective, and mutually beneficial manner.

28. The two leaders underlined the importance of the Mekong subregion to regional peace, stability, development and connectivity. They consented to continue advancing Mekong-Japan cooperation in a practical, effective, inclusive and sustainable manner, and to work together to enhance its role and effectiveness. Viet Nam welcomed Japan's continued prioritization to support Mekong countries, particularly in promoting connectivity, narrowing development gaps, sustainably managing water resources, advancing digital transformation and energy cooperation, and addressing transboundary challenges. The two leaders also encouraged the implementation of projects that strengthen connectivity and generate wider spillover effects in infrastructure, power grids and human resource development, in line with the needs and priorities of the countries concerned.

29. The two leaders consented to promote comprehensive cooperation at regional and international forums. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her support for Viet Nam in successfully hosting APEC 2027. The two leaders expressed their support for UN reform, including UN Security Council reform. The two leaders agreed to continue close cooperation in advancing UNSC reform, including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her gratitude to Viet Nam for its continued support for Japan's candidacy for permanent membership of the UN Security Council when it is reformed. They consented to further promote free trade and underscored the need to work closely with relevant agencies to ensure the full, effective and transparent implementation of free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The two leaders reaffirmed that CPTPP is particularly important in maintaining and strengthening a free, fair, and rules-based multilateral trading system, and would continue to coordinate closely with other Parties to uphold its high standards. The two sides concurred on working closely together towards the successful organization of GREEN EXPO 2027 in Yokohama, Japan.

30. The two leaders shared their concern over developments in the East Sea. They underscored the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea and of all parties exercising maximum restraint and refraining from actions that could affect peace and stability, and further complicate disputes. The two sides also underscored the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea. They also reaffirmed that UNCLOS constitutes the most comprehensive international legal framework that provides a universal, unified and overarching legal basis for governing all activities in the oceans and seas. The two leaders shared the view on the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), noted progress in negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and underscored the importance of an effective and substantive COC that is consistent with international law, in particular UNCLOS, and does not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of all parties in the East Sea.

31. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation and of full implementation of international obligations and commitments, including United Nations Security Council resolutions. They also underscored the need to establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula at an early date through political and diplomatic efforts, by promoting dialogue and peacefully resolving disagreements among the parties concerned, including humanitarian issues.

32. General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse expressed their sincere gratitude to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Prime Minister Takaichi, the leaders and people of Japan for the warm hospitality extended to themselves and the Vietnamese delegation./.