On September 5, 2026, within the framework of the 2026 Viet Nam–Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Hue City, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs, held a working session with Mr. Watanabe Takeshi, Special Envoy of the Governor of Niigata Prefecture, to review the results of cooperation between the two localities and discuss directions for further strengthening their relations in the coming period.
Hai Phong and Niigata officially established cooperative relations through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016. Over the past ten years, relations between the two localities have been gradually consolidated and developed, with a wide range of activities implemented across four key areas: agriculture; education and training; economy, trade and investment; and delegation exchanges and people-to-people exchanges.
The achievements over the past decade have contributed to greater mutual understanding, closer ties, and stronger friendship among the governments, agencies, organizations, businesses, and people of the two localities, while providing a solid foundation for Hai Phong and Niigata to further expand their cooperation in the new phase.
Delegates attending the working session
At the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong provided an overview of Hai Phong’s socio-economic development, potential, strengths, and development orientations following the recent administrative reorganization. With its expanded development space and notable advantages in industry, seaports, logistics, agriculture, education, and human resources, Hai Phong is well positioned to further strengthen cooperation with Japanese localities, including Niigata Prefecture.
Building on the cooperative relationship fostered over the past ten years, the Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs proposed that Niigata Prefecture consider developing short-term training and internship programs, as well as facilitating employment opportunities for students and workers from Hai Phong. Such initiatives would help broaden opportunities for cooperation and strengthen connections among government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses of the two localities.
In the area of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong expressed the hope that representatives of Niigata Prefecture and a performing arts delegation from the prefecture would participate in the Red Flamboyant Festival, a major annual cultural and political event of Hai Phong City, thereby promoting exchanges and mutual understanding and further strengthening the friendship between the two localities.
Recognizing agriculture as an area with considerable potential for further cooperation, the Deputy Director proposed that the two sides continue discussions to identify specific areas of cooperation aligned with the needs and strengths of each locality, wi
Mr. Watanabe Takeshi sharing his views at the working session
During the meeting, Mr. Watanabe Takeshi highly appreciated the achievements in cooperation between Hai Phong and Niigata and expressed his hope that the two localities would continue to prioritize cooperation in agriculture, particularly smart agriculture and the transformation of agricultural production. These are areas in which Niigata Prefecture has been actively conducting research and development and has accumulated considerable experience. They are also aligned with Hai Phong’s orientation toward enhancing the value, quality, and sustainability of its agricultural production.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides agreed to maintain regular information exchange and strengthen coordination between their respective focal agencies. They also agreed to explore areas of cooperation that match the needs, potential, and strengths of Hai Phong and Niigata, with a view to implementing concrete, practical, and effective programs and activities in the coming period.