Attending the Opening Ceremony were Mr. Hoang Trung Hai, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Year; Mr. To Huy Rua, Poliburo member of the Vietnam Communist Party’s Central Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam – Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group; Mr. Nguyen Manh Cam, former Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Vu Khoan, former Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Vu Xuan Hong, VUFO President; Mr Nghiem Vu Khai, VJFA Chairman; representatives from ministries, agencies, socio-political organizations, the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Associations at provincial level nation wide and mass media.
Mr. Tomiichi Murayama, former Prime Minister, President of the Japan – Vietnam Council for Peace and Friendship (JVPF); Mr. Yasuaki Tanizaki, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Furuta Motoo, Chairman of the Japan – Vietnam Friendship Association (JVFA) and over 50 delegates who are members of JVFA, JVPF, Parliament members and businessmen were present.
On behalf of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai appreciated the significance of the Festival. This event was one of various diversified activities to celebrate the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Year in both countries, he stressed.
The Deputy Prime Minister showed confidence that the Vietnam – Japan Strategic Partnership would constantly develop to a new height, bring about benefits to the people, actively contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Ambassador Yasuaki Tanizaki acclaimed VUFO’s and VJFA’s efforts to organise the Festival. More contribution of the people, especially the younger generation – power resource of Vietnam – Japan friendship today and in the future would be needed for further development of the friendship between the two countries, he said.
Mr. Nghiem Vu Khai said the Vietnam – Japan People’s Friendship Festival was a good opportunity for delegates of the two countries to meet each other, exchange experience in holding people’s friendship activities, and discuss methods in promoting people and cultural exchanges for practical contribution to strengthening the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
The Vietnam – Japan People’s Friendship Festival would take place in three days from 20 – 22 September in Ha Noi, Vinh Phuc and Quang Ninh.
In the framework of the Festival, the delegates would participate in activities as attending the Opening Ceremony, the Seminar on enhancing people’s friendship between Vietnam and Japan, paying a courtesy visit to the Party and State leaders, visiting to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, attending Vietnam – Japan Friendship Gala, and sightseeing.
Đức Minh
