During the audience on November 11, General Secretary and State President To Lam extended sincere gratitude for the warm sentiments and care that Emperor Naruhito, the Empress, and members of the Japanese Imperial Family have extended to the Vietnamese people and the bilateral relationship over the years, according to VNA.
The General Secretary and State President noted that the 2017 visit by Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko—then reigning as Emperor and Empress of Japan—marked a historic milestone in bilateral ties and remains a memory cherished by the people of Vietnam.
Emperor Naruhito and the Empress expressed confidence that the success of General Secretary and State President To Lam’s visit to Japan would help strengthen friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. Emperor Naruhito also fondly recalled his 2009 visit to Vietnam when he was Crown Prince.
Emperor Naruhito shared historical reflections on people-to-people exchanges and enduring bonds between the two nations, citing the legacy of Lam Ap music brought to Nara, Japan, by the Buddhist monk Phat Triet in the 8th century, which became woven into Japanese court music, as well as the numerous Japanese ceramic artifacts unearthed in Hoi An.
The Emperor noted that this profound history of cultural and interpersonal exchange serves as an essential foundation connecting both peoples and fostering the strong cooperative partnership seen today.
General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse hold an audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse highlighted various cultural exchange activities during the visit, as well as the shared cultural affinities between the two nations.
The General Secretary and State President emphasized that Vietnam and Japan hold ample opportunities to expand collaboration across education and training, high-quality human resource development, healthcare, culture, tourism, and agriculture in the period ahead.
On the afternoon of the same day, the Emperor and Empress of Japan hosted a royal reception at the Imperial Palace in honor of General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse.
Discover more from Vietnam Insider
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.